US3577674A

US3577674A - Amusement device

Info

Publication number: US3577674A
Application number: US832585A
Authority: US
Inventors: Tim M Uyeda; Theodore George Wahler; John Maguire
Original assignee: Samsonite Corp
Current assignee: CBS Broadcasting Inc; Samsonite Corp
Priority date: 1969-06-12
Filing date: 1969-06-12
Publication date: 1971-05-04
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-04

Abstract

The amusement device is a water toy having a watercourse structure, vacuum formed from a plastic sheet to provide interleaved and interspaced ridges, with a pair of corresponding, circuitous channels therebetween and merging prior to a common drain. Islands also upstand from the channels. From a sump plate beneath, posts support the watercourse structure, while the watercourse structure and sump plate are also attached around their peripheral edges to an upright frame. The discharge from a battery-operated pump is carried by tubes to a pair of fluid control devices, from which tubes lead to nozzles extending upwardly through the watercourse structure. The nozzle outlets discharge in a direction to direct simulated boats away from impediments along and at corresponding positions in the channels. The connecting tubes are placed in the space between the watercourse structure and the sump plate. The fluid control devices are mounted on the sump plate and extend upwardly through the watercourse structure, while buttons thereon control diversion of water to the respective nozzles, the normal flow of water being to a channel inlet end.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors John Maguire Littleton, Colo.; Tim M. Uyeda, South San Gabriel, Califl; Theodore George Wahler, Denver, C010. [21 Appl. No. 832,585 [22] Filed June 12, 1969 [45] Patented May 4, 1971 [73] Assignee Samsonite Corporation Denver, Colo.

[54] AMUSEMENT DEVICE 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 46/41 [51] Int. Cl l. A63h 29/10 [50] Field of Search 46/41, 42, 91, 93

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,551,055 5/1951 Scharkopf 46/91X 2,940,214 6/1960 Blanton 46/91 3,224,771 12/1965 Altieri .11:

Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-43. L. Weinhold Attorney-Van Valkenburgh & Lowe ABSTRACT: The amusement device is a water toy having a watercourse structure, vacuum formed from a plastic sheet to provide interleaved and interspaced ridges, with a pair of corresponding, circuitous channels therebetween and merging prior to a common drain. Islands also upstand from the channels. From a sump plate beneath, posts support the watercourse structure, while the watercourse structure and sump plate are also attached around their peripheral edges to an upright frame. The discharge from a battery-operated pump is carried by tubes to a pair of fluid control devices, from which tubes lead to nozzles extending upwardly through the watercourse structure. The nozzle outlets discharge in a direction to direct simulated boats away from impediments along and at corresponding positions in the channels. The connecting tubes are placed in the space between the watercourse structure and the sump plate. The fluid control devices are mounted on the sump plate and extend upwardly through the watercourse structure, while buttons thereon control diversion of water to the respective nozzles, the normal flow of water being to a channel inlet end.

PATENTEUZHAY 4 |97| SHEET 1 0F 4 R m S H ME A T N DE EGE V AYE flm W OW J Y B I G n ATTORNEYS PATENTEUMAY 41971 $577,674

sum 3'I1F 4 INVENTORS JOHN MAGUIRE TIM M. UYEDA BY THEODORE a. WAHLER H s. a

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDHAY 4:97: 3577-574 sum 0F 4 FE a INVENTORS g 5 JOHN MAGU/RE TIM M. UYEDA THEODORE G. WAHLER A TTORNEYS AMUSEMENT DEVICE This invention relates to amusement devices and more particularly to hydro toys or water toys.

Prior amusement devices in which a boat or the like is propelled along a watercourse by the flow of water have involved either life-sized watercourses and boats, or small watercourses and boats or the like which have been too simple to be attractive to children having some knowledge of developments of the space age. Also, such amusement devices have not been capable of providing a contest of skill in controlling the traverse of two boats or the like, each along one of a pair of identical watercourses.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel amusement device which involves a relatively elongated, simulated watercourse along which a boat or the like is propelled by the flow of water; to provide such an amusement device in which the slope of the watercourse need not be particularly great, but the volume of water is sufficient to propel a simulated boat or the like down the watercourse; to provide such an amusement device in which impediments to the course of the boat or the like are placed at one or more to be avoided; to provide such an amusement device in which the water, after flowing down the watercourse, is readily returned to the watercourse; to provide such an amusement device which will not be inordinate in size; to provide such an amusement device which may be formed relatively inexpensively, as by being molded or otherwise suitably formed of plastic; to provide such an amusement device which does not have an undue weight; to provide such an amusement device in which a collecting sump for the water is formed in a novel manner; to provide such an amusement device in which a molded or formed plastic providing a simulated watercourse or watercourses is adequately supported; to provide such 'an amusement device which includes a pair of substantially identical, elongated watercourses on each ofwhich a contestant may place a simulated boat or the like; to provide such a amusement device containing dual watercourses which may be utilized as a contest of skill and judgment; to provide such an amusement device containing dual watercourses in which the same obstacles or impediments are placed at corresponding positions along each course; to provide such an amusement device which includes control means to be operated by each of the contestants, by which the flow of water may be diverted to predetermined positions, such as corresponding to a particular position of the boat or the like of the contestant; to provide such an amusement device which includes a control device for changing the flow of water, as from a pump, to different positions along the watercourse; to provide a control device which is particularly adapted for use in an amusement device constructed in accordance with this invention; and to provide such an amusement device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. 1

The foregoing and additional objects of this invention, together with the novel features thereof, will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view. of an amusement device constructed in accordance with this invention, having two substantially identical but complementary watercourses which merge towards the ends thereof;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of a simulated boat or the like, one of which may be placed in each of the watercourses of FIG. 1;

I FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an scale, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged enlarged scale, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 77 of FIG. 1, showing in full lines the simulated boat of FIG. 3 moving along a channel which will accommodate the same, and also showing in dotted lines a simulated boat of FIG. 3 within an adjacent channel in which the simulated boat may become wedged;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1 and at the end of the watercourses thereof;

FIG. 9 is a front elevation, on a'further enlarged scale, of one of the control valves of the amusement device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a transverse vertical section, taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the opposite control valve of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a longitudinal vertical section, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11 and showing one of the control .buttons depressed, in order to divert water flow to a particular point in the watercourse; and

FIG. 13 is a horizontal section, taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

An amusement device constructed in accordance with this invention, as in FIGS. 1 and 2, includes a rectangular frame F having upright sides 10 and ends 11, between which is attached a watercourse structure W which is conveniently formed from a relatively thin sheet of plastic, molded to provide a series of interleaved and interspaced ridges 12, between which is formed one or more watercourses or channels 13. Various islands may extend upwardly in the channels at certain positions, for purposes to be described later. It will be understood that the amusement device of this invention may contain only one watercourse or channel, although the preferred embodiment of FIG 1 is provided with two channels l3,each having an entrance 14 adjacent a valve V and winding circuitously while sloping downwardly, to a common exit at a series of openings 15, through which the water is discharged into a sump formed above a sump plate S. The flow of water from each valve V is normally to inlet 14 of the adjacent channel, but may be diverted to selected points along the respective channels 13 by depressing one of

buttons

16, 17 or 18 of the respective valve V. A motor-operated pump 20, of conventional construction, is supplied with current from batteries 21 of FIG. 2 contained in a housing 22, on which is mounted an off-on switch 23 of FIG. 1, with housing 22 provided with a pair of hinged cover plates 24 for access to the spaces in which batteries 21 are contained, as for replacement purposes. The wiring between pump 20, batteries 21 and switch 23 is conventional and therefore not shown.

Boat B of FIG. 3 may be a simulated motorboat, as shown,

I of a size to move readily along either channel 13 and between the adjacent ridges, as shown in full lines in FIG. 7, with the water at an appropriate level, such as approximately half way upthe ridges 12. Of course, other types of boats or floating objects may. be utilized, preferably in different colors, so that each contestant may distinguish his or her boat from the other boat in the race.

Pump 20 is provided with an intake 25 of FIG. which is located below the watercourse structure W and is spaced slightly above the sump plate 5, which may be formed of transparent plastic, through which various parts can be seen in FIG. 2, although for clarity of illustration, the details of the underside of the watercourse structure W are not shown. The lowest point of the sump plate S is preferably immediately below intake 25 of the pump, while the sump plate slopes downwardly to the pump from the opposite side at openings 15, through which the water at the end of the combined channels flows into the sump, as well as also sloping downwardly toward the pump from the remainder of the sides and ends of the sump plate S. In accordance with this invention, sump plate S supportsthe watercourse structure W, as by cylindrical posts 26 which are conveniently placed in holes in the sump plate S and cemented thereto, as in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, and conveniently engage the underside of the watercourse structure W at spaced positions along each channel 13. Posts 26 may be shorter where the channel approaches the sump plate, as in FIG. 8, and increase in length further upstream, as in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The peripheral edge of the sump plate S may be attached, as by a suitable adhesive, to the underside of a bar 27 which extends around the inside of the frame F and may be similarly attached by adhesive to the sides and ends 11 of the frame F. Each bar 27 may be spaced equidistantly from the lower edge of the sides and ends of the frame, with the sump plate S having an offset 28, as in FIG. 8, adjacent its peripheral edge, to lower the central area of the sump plate, with the slope of the sump plate from the remainder of the sides and ends of the frame F being more gradual. The peripheral edge of the watercourse structure W may also be provided with a downturned flange 29, as in FIG. 8, which is secured to the inner edges of the sides and ends of the frame in a suitable manner, as by adhesive. The flange 29 extends downwardly from a land 30, shown also in FIG. 1, which extends around the peripheral edge of the watercourse structure W and may vary in width, depending upon the nearness of the side of a channel 13 thereto, with a slightly higher land 30' being positioned at the battery housing 22 and pump 20, so that the upper edges of the pump and battery housing may be substantially flush with the land 30.

The discharge of pump 20, as in FIG. 2, is conducted simultaneously through a pair of flexible tubes 32, as of plastic, to the inlet of each of the valves V. From each valve V, the flow is normally through a tube 33 to a block 34, from which, as in FIGS. 1 and 4, the water is discharged through a nozzle 35 having a hole 36 facing the end of a cul-de-sac 37 disposed at a higher elevation than the bottom of channel 13, for flow into entrance 14 of the respective channel and thence downwardly along the circuitous course of each channel. Another outlet of each valve V, controlled by button 16, is connected by a tube 38 to a block 34, as in FIG. 2, for selectively supplying the water to a nozzle 39 of FIGS. 1 and 5, which is provided with a discharge opening similar to nozzle 35, spaced above another cul-de-sac 37, but with the nozzle oriented to discharge in the direction of arrow 40 of FIG. 1. Similarly, a second alternative outlet of valve V, controlled by button 17, is connected by a tube 41 of FIG. 2 with a block 34 in which is mounted a noule 42 of FIG. 1, provided with a discharge opening spaced slightly above another cul-de-sac 37v and oriented to discharge in the direction of arrow 43. The nozzles 42, as in FIG. 1, are positioned at the point of confluence of the two channels 13 which merge at that point and continue to the exit at openings 15. A third alternative outlet of each valve V, controlled by button 18, is connected by a tube 44 with a block 34 in which is mounted a nozzle 45 of FIG. 1 which extends above another cul-de-sac 37 and is provided with a discharge opening 36, as in FIG. 6, facing in the direction of arrow 46 of FIG. 1. In accordance with this invention, the space between watercourse structure W and the sump plate S not only provides a sump for the return of water to the pump 20, but also a space in which may be located the

respective tubes

32, 33, 38, 41 and 44. This facilitates the construction of the device of this invention, since the respective tubes and the blocks 34, as well as the corresponding nozzles, may be attached to the valves prior to mounting of the sump plate S, so that each of

nozzles

35, 39, 42 and 45 may be inserted through the hole therefor in the corresponding cul-de-sac 37, then cemented in position, with the nozzle opening 36 facing in the desired direction.

In order to use the amusement device of this invention, a sufl'lcient quantity of water to fill the sump, above the sump plate S to the level of openings or higher, if desired, is poured into the exit end of the channel, so that the water will flow into the sump through the exit openings 15. Then, the pump is turned on by snapping the off-on switch 23 to its on position, whereupon the water discharged from the pump will flow through the tubes 32 to the respective valves V, thence out through the tubes 33, to be discharged through nozzles 35 into the entrance 14 of the respective channels 13. Each contestant, upon an appropriate signal, places his or her boat B in a channel 13. As the boats float down the channel due to the flow of water therealong, the boat of a contestant will pass an island 50 and approach nozzle 39, whereupon the contestant may press button 16 to cause the water discharged from nozzle 39 to turn the boat, as it approaches the nozzle, and cause it to move around one end of an island 51, i.e. across a short cut 52, rather than travelling past nozzle 39 and along a much longer path around the island 51. The position of island 50 is such that the water flowing between the island and that ridge 12 which is opposite nozzle 39 will produce flow past the entrance of short cut 52, or angularly to short cut 52, and maintain the boat pointed downstream in the channel, so that if nozzle 39 is not actuated, the boat will float the long way around island 51. If island 50 were not present, the lateral flow of water into short cut 52 would tend to move a boat floating down the channel laterally and the boat to be stopped with the bow against island 51 and the stern against ridge 12 at the entrance to short cut 52. As a result, water discharged from nozzle 39 would hit the boat broadside, without causing the boat to move through short cut 52. Thus, island 50 is secondary fluidic control island which causes a flow of water past the entrance of a channel along one side of a primary island, to maintain the boat pointed downstream, so that the boat can be turned by water from a nozzle into such a channel, or if the nozzle is not operated with the proper timing, the boat will continue down the main channel, thus taking the long way around.

Further downstream, the boat may encounter a simulated rock 53, the upstream edge of which is spaced from the adjacent ridge 12 to produce the possibility of the boat becoming wedged between the rock and the ridge. If the boat should become so wedged, then the contestant may push the button 18 to divert water to nozzle 45, so that the discharge in the direction of arrow 46 will float the boat away from the rock 53, after which the button 18 may be released and the normal flow of water will then carry the boat on down the channel 13. Also, if a boat is approaching the position of becoming wedged between rock 53 and the adjacent ridge 12, the contestant may depress button 18 to cause the discharge from nozzle 45 to float the boat away from the rock 53 and toward the opposite side of the channel, after which the button 18 may be released, to pemlitjhe boat to proceed downstream.

Just before the confluence of the channels 13, an island 54 may extend upwardly in the channel, around which the boat must float to reach the confluence of the channels, in which a pair of islands 55 are positioned. The space on the outside of each island 55 is sufficient for a boat B to pass, as shown in full lines in FIG. 7, but channel 13 between the islands 55 is insufficient to permit the boat to pass, so that the boat may then become wedged between the islands, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7. Thus, it is necessary for the contestant to push button 17 to cause the water to be discharged from nozzle 42 in the direction of arrow 43, as the boat rounds island 54 and tends to float in between islands 55. That is, the hole 36 in nozzle 42 faces the larger channel between the nearest island 55 and the adjacent ridge 12. Each island 54 again acts as a secondary, fluidic control island for the adjacent island 55, since the channel between an island 54 and ridge 12, opposite a nozzle 42, will produce a flow across the entrance of or angularly to the adjacent channel outside the corresponding island 55. This maintains the boat in an attitude and direction to enter the channel between islands 55, thus effectively eliminating it from the race. But with the boat so pointed and with proper nozzle discharge timing, it can be readily turnedand moved down the channel outside island 55 and complete the race. If the boat of one contestant wedges between islands 55, then the boat of the other contestant will tend to bump into the wedged boat, so-that the other contestant will be better above to divert his boat around the islands 55. Thus, an opportunity is given a contestant whose boat is behind, when the confluence of the channels is reached, to succeed in the contest, through accurate timing of the discharge of water from nozzle 42. After passage around islands 55, if both contestants are successful in negotiating the same, the boats will normally float down on opposite sides of an island 56 and; thence to exit of the channels at openings 15. Thus, the contestant whose boat first reaches the openings will be declared the winner.

It will be noted that the

buttons

16, 17 and 18 are interchanged with respect to the downstream position of the noules controlled thereby, which adds to the zest of the game. If desired, island 50 may be spaced closely to the ridge opposite the ridge on which nozzle 39 is located, so as to be insufiicient to accommodate the boat and the boat will tend to become wedged between the island and the ridge. In the latter event, the button 16 of the valve V may be pushed by the contestant, to move'the boat upstream and refloat it past the near side of the island 50. Island 54 may also be positioned so that the boat will tend to become wedged between the island and the ridge between island 54 and island 55, in which event the contestant controlling that boat will be required to push button 17 to cause the discharge of water from nozzle 42 to float the boat upstream and then permit the boat to float downstream on the other side of island 54, following which the contestant will still have the problem of directing the boat to avoid wedging between islands 55.

It will be understood, of course, that a watercourse structure W with only a single channel therein may be provided, so that a user may attempt to skillfully control the movement of the boat down the channel in a minimum of time.'Additional features which may be added to the watercourse, or substituted for features described above, include a whirlpool, as at the exit end, around which the boat must be guided by directional flow from a noule; a waterfall over which the boat must move in a particular position or be overturned and sink; a geyser or waterspout nozzle by which an opponents boat may be flooded and sunk; a directional nozzle which may be controlled to interfere with the passage of the opponents boat down the channel or to force the opponents boat into an obstruction or impediment; and others of a similar nature. Additional nozzles or outlets may also be controlled by additional controls at each valve V or by additional valves.

When the amusement device is not in use, the water may be readily drained therefrom, after the pump is shut off, by tipping the device to the side at which openings 15 are located, so that substantially all of the water will be drained out of the sump. After the pump is shut off, all of the water may be permitted to drain into the sump.

The preferred construction of a valve V is that of the fluid control device disclosed and claimed in the copending application of John Maguire, Ser. No. 832,620, filed June 12, I969, now Pat. No. 3,559,683. As shown in-FIGS. 9-13, the valves V are identical but complementary in construction, the valve of FIG. 9 being shown without tubes connected thereto, for clarity of illustration. Thus, each valve may include a base 60 to which an upright rectangular block 61 and an end plate 62 are secured to the base and to each other, as by adhesive, after installation of the respective valves and a short rubber tube 63. The extension of base 60 from each end of block 61 facilitates mounting of the valves on sump plate S. Block 61 is provided with a groove 64 on the underside, one end of which is closed by end plate 62 to form an inlet 65 of FIG. 13 and the opposite end of which forms an outlet 66, with a neck 67 adjacent the outlet. The end of rubber tube 63 is inserted within the neck 67 and the tube preferably cemented in position at the neck. On one side of block 61, a lower bore 68 extends to groove 64, with the end of inlet tube 32 being inserted in bore 68 and cemented in position, while adjacent the opposite end, a lower bore 69 leads to outlet 66, with the end of outlet tube 33 being inserted in bore 69 and cemented in position. From the top of block 61, three bores 70, as in FIG. 12, extend downwardly to groove 64, each having a conical seat 71 at the lower end. The

buttons

16, 17 and 18, as in FIG. 11, may be cemented to a smaller diameter extension 72 of a stem 73, as in FIG. 10, seating against the shoulder formed at the lower end of stem extension 72. At its lower end, stem 73 is formed with a valve 74 of frustoconical form for engaging seat 71 to prevent flow of water into the corresponding bore 70, when the valve is closed. On the same side as bores 68 and 69, a bore 75 extends transversely into the corresponding valve bore 70 above valve seat 71, while the ends of

tubes

38, 41 and 44 are respectively inserted in a bore 7 and cemented in position.

Buttons

16, 17 and 18 are proportioned to provide a sliding, sealing fit with the corresponding bore 70, to prevent leakage of water therearound, the additional contact area between the button and the bore, when the button is depressed as in the case of button 17 of FIG. 12, increasing the sealing effect. However, if desired, a conventional O-ring for sealing purposes may be added, as in a groove formed in either the button or the bore.

Inaccordance with the aforesaid application of John Maguire, Ser. No. 832,620, filed June I2, 1969, now Pat. No. 3,559,683, groove 64 is wider than the outside diameter of rubber tube 63, as in FIG. 11, so that, while water will normally flow from inlet 65 through tube 63 to outlet 66 for discharge through tube 33, water can also flow around rubber tube 63. However, when one of the

valve buttons

16, 17 or 18 is depressed, such as button 17 shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the rubber tube 63 will be flattened, so that flow through the inside thereof to the normal outlet 66 will be shut off. As indicated by the arrows of FIG. 13, water will flow around the outside of tube 63 within groove 64, for flow upwardly into bore 70 of the open valve, and thence through the corresponding

tube

38, 41 or 4-4. The action of each of the valves controlled by

buttons

16 and 18 is the same as that of the valve controlled by button 17, i.e. when the button is pushed down, the tube 63 is flattened and the water will then flow around the tube 63 and thence to the desired

tube

38 or 44.

A further and important feature of the fluid control device of the aforesaid application of John Maguire, Ser. No. 832,620, filed June 12, 1969, now Pat. No. 3,559,683, lies in the fact that no springs are required, since the diameter of the tube 63 and the height of groove 64 are so proportioned that each valve 74 will be pressed upwardly by the tube 63, as in FIG. 10, against its seat 71. Thus, the rubber tube 63 performs a dual function, i.e. during flow through the tube, the tube holds each of the valves upwardly against its seat, with the tube being slightly flattened, as in FIG. 10, through engagement with a valve, but when any of the valve buttons are depressed, the tube will be flattened to prevent flow through the inside thereof, the flow instead taking place around the outside of the tube and through the bore of the valve which is actuated. It will be understood that the valve V may be used for other purposes in controlling the flow of any desired liquid, although its inexpensive nature renders it highly suitable as a control valve for water toys and the like.

Base 60, block 61 and end plate 62 may be formed of a suitable plastic, while each of the valves may also be formed of plastic. Tube 63 ispreferably formed of rubber, as indicated, although it may be formed of a sufficiently resilient plastic which will withstand the repetitive stresses involved in numerous valve closings. The block 61 and each of the valves may be molded, rather that machined, while end plate 62 may be integral with block 61. Also, the neck 67 may be tapered, as in FIG. 12, so that the end of tube 63 may be wedged into the neck. When block 61 is attached to base 60, adhesive is preferably placed on the underside of tube 63, below neck 67, so that the end of the tube will be cemented to the base, as will as to the block.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention fulfills to a marked degree the objects and requirements hereinbefore set forth. The watercourse structure is readily molded in quantities, as by vacuum forming, from a comparatively thin sheet of plastic or the like and may be painted or otherwise decorated to simulate topographical features. The sump plate may be considerably thicker than the sheet from which the watercourse structure is formed, since it requires very little shaping, particularly in comparison with the watercourse structure. Also, the load of the water contained in the channel or channels is transmitted through the support posts, spaced along the underside of the channel or channels, to the heavier and thus sturdier sump plate. The sump plate, spaced from the watercourse structure, has the dual function of providing a sump or drainage space and also provides a space in which the tubes connecting the control valves with the various nozzles may be disposed. Due to this disposition of the tubes, the assembly operation may be carried out quickly and expeditiously. The ridges may be shaped or the islands upstanding in the channels may be spaced so as to provide impediments to the passage of a floating object, such as a simulated boat, down the channels, without creating any problems in the forming of the watercourse structure. Also, the water discharge nozzles may be readily positioned, so that a particular nozzle may be supplied with water to overcome an adjacent impediment. Due to the circuitous arrangement of the channel or channels, a watercourse structure of a reasonable size may be provided, while the weight of the device, particularly without any water therein, is not unduly great, since the watercourse structure may be formed of comparatively thin material, being adequately supported from the frame and particularly from the sump plate therebeneath.

It will be further evident that, although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described and certain variations therein described, other embodiments may exist and numerous variations made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

I claim:

1. An amusement device comprising:

a watercourse structure formed from a sheet to provide a circuitous channel sloping downwardly from an entrance end to an exit end;

a sump plate disposed beneath said watercourse structure and providing a sump space for collection of water draining from said channel;

means supporting said watercourse structure from said sump plate;

a plurality of water discharge devices disposed at predetermined positions along said channels;

pump means positioned to receive water from said sump space; and

valve control means for selectively controlling the flow of water to said entrance of said channel and the respective water discharge devices.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1, wherein:

said watercourse structure is provided with a pair of corresponding channels; and

dual valve control means for selectively controlling the flow of water to the respective channels and water discharge devices along the same.

3. An amusement device as set forth in claim 2, wherein:

said channels merge prior to the exit ends thereof; and

a common drain means is disposed at the exit of the merged channels.

4. An amusement device as set forth in claim 1, including tubes connecting said pump means with said valve control means and said valve control means with said water discharge devices, said tubes being disposed in the space between said sump plate and said watercourse structure.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 4, wherein:

said watercourse structure and said sump plate are formed of a plastic material and are surrounded by an upright frame, said watercourse structure having a peripheral depending flange secured to the inside of said frame and the peripheral edge of said sump plate being secured to the inside of said frame; and

a series of posts extend upwardly from said sump plate and I respective tubes.

7 An amusement device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said watercourse structure is provided with impediments to the passage of an object floating down said channel; and

said nozzles are positioned to assist said object in moving past such impediments.

8. An amusement device as defined in claims 3 and 7,

wherein:

said watercourse structure is formed to provide a series of interspaced and interleaved ridges forming said pair of corresponding circuitous channels; and

said impediments and said noules include one or more of the following:

a. an island upstanding in a curve of each channel and a corresponding nozzle positioned to discharge water to cause said object to float past one end of said island instead of around said island in the opposite direction;

b. an extending portion of a ridge spaced from the adjacent portion of said ridge to provide a space in which said object may wedge and a corresponding nozzle positioned to discharge water to move said object out of or away from said wedged position; and

. a pair of islands upstanding in the merged'portions of said channels and each providing sufficient space outside the same between the respective island and the adjacent ridge, for said object to float past said island but providing insufficient space between said islands for said object to float therebetween, and a nozzle positioned adjacent each of said islands to discharge water to cause said object floating down the corresponding channel to pass outside the corresponding island.

9. An amusement device as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

each said valve means is mounted on said sump plate to extend upwardly through said watercourse structure, with said inlet and said outlets of each valve means being below said watercourse structure for connection of tubes thereto; and

buttons of each said valve means, for controlling flow through said tubes connected to said outlets, are accessible above said watercourse structure.

10. An amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein;

said watercourse structure includes a primary island extending upwardly in said channel, one of said water discharge devices being positioned to discharge water to cause an object floating down said channel to move past a predetermined portion of said island; and

a secondary island upstanding from said channel at a position upstream of said primary island, said secondary island being positioned to cause a flow of water toward and angularly with respect to said predetermined portion of said primary island.

Claims

1. An amusement device comprising: a watercourse structure formed from a sheet to provide a circuitous channel sloping downwardly from an entrance end to an exit end; a sump plate disposed beneath said watercourse structure and providing a sump space for collection of water draining from said channel; means supporting said watercourse structure from said sump plate; a plurality of water discharge devices disposed at predetermined positions along said channels; pump means positioned to receive water from said sump space; and valve control means for selectively controlling the flow of water to said entrance of said channel and the respective water discharge devices.

2. An amusement device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said watercourse structure is provided with a pair of corresponding channels; and dual valve control means for selectively controlling the flow of water to the respective channels and water discharge devices along the same.

3. An amusement device as set forth in claim 2, wherein: said channels merge prior to the exit ends thereof; and a common drain means is disposed at the exit of the merged channels.

5. An amusement device as defined in claim 4, wherein: said watercourse structure and said sump plate are formed of a plastic material and are surrounded by an upright frame, said watercourse structure having a peripheral depending flange secured to the inside of said frame and the peripheral edge of said sump plate being secured to the inside of said frame; and a series of posts extend upwardly from said sump plate and engage the underside of said watercourse structure at positions spaced along the underside of said channel.

6. An amusement device as set forth in claim 5, wherein said water discharge devices comprise nozzles extending upwardly through said watercourse structure and connected to the respective tubes.

7. An amusement device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: said watercourse structure is provided with impediments to the passage of an object floating down said channel; and said nozzles are positioned to assist said object in moving past such impediments.

8. An amusement device as defined in claims 3 and 7, wherein: said watercourse structure is formed to provide a series of interspaced and interleaved ridges forming said pair of corresponding circuitous channels; and said impediments and said nozzles include one or more of the following: a. an island upstanding in a cUrve of each channel and a corresponding nozzle positioned to discharge water to cause said object to float past one end of said island instead of around said island in the opposite direction; b. an extending portion of a ridge spaced from the adjacent portion of said ridge to provide a space in which said object may wedge and a corresponding nozzle positioned to discharge water to move said object out of or away from said wedged position; and c. a pair of islands upstanding in the merged portions of said channels and each providing sufficient space outside the same between the respective island and the adjacent ridge, for said object to float past said island but providing insufficient space between said islands for said object to float therebetween, and a nozzle positioned adjacent each of said islands to discharge water to cause said object floating down the corresponding channel to pass outside the corresponding island.

9. An amusement device as set forth in claim 6, wherein: each said valve means is mounted on said sump plate to extend upwardly through said watercourse structure, with said inlet and said outlets of each valve means being below said watercourse structure for connection of tubes thereto; and buttons of each said valve means, for controlling flow through said tubes connected to said outlets, are accessible above said watercourse structure.

10. An amusement device as set forth in claim 1, wherein; said watercourse structure includes a primary island extending upwardly in said channel, one of said water discharge devices being positioned to discharge water to cause an object floating down said channel to move past a predetermined portion of said island; and a secondary island upstanding from said channel at a position upstream of said primary island, said secondary island being positioned to cause a flow of water toward and angularly with respect to said predetermined portion of said primary island.