Floating playground

Abstract

A floating playground comprising floating modules which provide buoyancy to a variety of recreational implements. Rigid flotation vessels filled with foam provide buoyancy to the modules. The modules have a frame and plurality of posts which can support a variety of recreational implements. The modules float individually or can be connected together to from a floating playground with a variety of recreational implements. The modules are also mobile so they can be moved from location to location and interchanged with other modules to form a dynamic playground.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A floating surface with elastic memory for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a rigid floatation means;    a bouncing means for propelling users in an upward direction; and    an attachment means for attaching the floatation means to the bouncing means, such that said bouncing means resides above an uppermost portion of said floatation means.    
     
     
         2 . The floating surface of  claim 1 , wherein the flotation means comprises a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The floating surface of  claim 2 , wherein the flotation means has a general rectangular box shape.  
     
     
         4 . The floating surface of  claim 3 , wherein the flotation means contains an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         5 . The floating surface of  claim 4 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         6 . The floating surface of  claim 5 , wherein the bouncing means has a generally rectangular shape.  
     
     
         7 . The floating surface of  claim 1 , wherein the bouncing means is a trampoline.  
     
     
         8 . The floating surface of  claim 2 , wherein the floatation means has a circular shape, with an opening in the center to form a doughnut shape.  
     
     
         9 . The floating surface of  claim 8 , wherein the bouncing means has a circular shape.  
     
     
         10 . The floating surface of  claim 5 , wherein the attachment means comprises a frame, wherein said frame resides on said flotation means and supports said bouncing means.  
     
     
         11 . The floating surface of  claim 10 , wherein the attachment means further comprises a plurality of clamps, wherein said clamps operate to attach said frame to the floatation means.  
     
     
         12 . The floating surface of  claim 6 , further comprising a safety net that encircles the trampoline.  
     
     
         13 . The floating surface of  claim 6 , wherein the bouncing means resides above the floatation means in an elevated position relative to an uppermost portion of said floatation means.  
     
     
         14 . A floating elastic memory surface for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a rigid floatation means;    a bouncing means for propelling users in an upward direction; and    an attachment means for attaching the floatation means to the bouncing means, such that said bouncing means resides above said floatation means in an elevated position relative to an uppermost portion of said floatation means.    
     
     
         15 . The floating surface of  claim 14 , wherein the flotation means comprises a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         16 . The floating surface of  claim 15 , wherein the flotation means has a general rectangular box shape.  
     
     
         17 . The floating surface of  claim 16 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         18 . The floating surface of  claim 17 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         19 . The floating surface of  claim 18 , wherein the bouncing means has a generally rectangular shape.  
     
     
         20 . The floating surface of  claim 14 , wherein the bouncing means is a trampoline.  
     
     
         21 . The floating surface of  claim 15 , wherein the floatation means has a circular shape, with an opening in the center to form a doughnut shape.  
     
     
         22 . The floating surface of  claim 21 , wherein the bouncing means has a circular shape.  
     
     
         23 . The floating surface of  claim 18 , wherein the attachment means comprises a frame, wherein said frame resides on said flotation means and supports said bouncing means.  
     
     
         24 . The floating surface of  claim 23 , wherein the attachment means further comprises a plurality of clamps, wherein said clamps attach said frame to the floatation means.  
     
     
         25 . The floating surface of  claim 19 , further comprising a safety net that encircles the trampoline.  
     
     
         26 . The floating surface of  claim 19 , wherein the bouncing means resides above the floatation means in an elevated position relative to an uppermost portion of said floatation means.  
     
     
         27 . A floating playground for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a first rigid floatation means;    a first support means disposed on the first floatation means for supporting a recreational implement;    a second rigid floatation means;    a second support means disposed on the second floatation means for supporting an object;    an attachment means for (i) attaching the first floatation means to the second floatation means, or (ii) intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement such that said first and second floatation means are spaced apart by said second recreational implement, said second recreational implement spanning a separation space residing between said first and second floatation means.    
     
     
         28 . The floating playground of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second flotation means comprise a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         29 . The floating playground of  claim 28 , wherein the first and second flotation means each contain an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         30 . The floating playground of  claim 29 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         31 . The floating playground of  claim 30 , wherein the first and second floatation means each comprises a rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         32 . The floating playground of  claim 31 , wherein the floatation means has a ledge molded into the floatation means, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation means.  
     
     
         33 . The floating playground of  claim 32 , wherein the first and second support means is a frame, wherein said frame is a hollow tube with a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         34 . The floating playground of  claim 33 , wherein said frame resides in the ledge of said floatation vessels.  
     
     
         35 . The floating playground of  claim 34 , wherein the first and second support means further comprises at least one post.  
     
     
         36 . The floating playground of  claim 35 , wherein the attachment means for attaching the first floatation means to the second floatation means is a hinge pin assembly.  
     
     
         37 . The floating playground of  claim 35 , wherein the attachment means for attaching the first floatation means to the second floatation means is a latch.  
     
     
         38 . The floating playground of  claim 35 , wherein the attachment means for intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement is a hinge pin assembly.  
     
     
         39 . The floating playground of  claim 35 , wherein the attachment means for intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement includes a U-joint, such that said U-joint provides two degrees of movement.  
     
     
         40 . The floating playground of  claim 35 , wherein the attachment means for intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement includes a U-joint, such that said spherical end joint provides three degrees of movement.  
     
     
         41 . A floating marine structure for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a recreational implement;    a rigid framework for holding the recreational implement; and    floatation means for supporting the rigid framework and the recreational implement above the body of water, wherein said floatation means provides buoyancy when said floatation means is floating upon said body of water.    
     
     
         42 . The floating marine structure of  claim 41 , wherein the flotation means is rotationally molded plastic.  
     
     
         43 . The floating marine structure of  claim 42 , wherein the flotation means is a rectangularly shaped box.  
     
     
         44 . The floating marine structure of  claim 43 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         45 . The floating marine structure of  claim 44 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         46 . The floating marine structure of  claim 43 , wherein a ledge is molded into the floatation means and circumscribes the upper perimeter of said floatation means.  
     
     
         47 . The floating marine structure of  claim 46 , wherein the ledge defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the floatation means.  
     
     
         48 . The floating marine structure of  claim 47 , wherein at least one pocket is molded into the upper portion of the floatation means, such that said pocket forms a slot.  
     
     
         49 . The floating marine structure of  claim 43 , wherein the rigid framework comprises a hollow tube, such that said tube has a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the ledge.  
     
     
         50 . The floating marine structure of  claim 49 , wherein the rigid framework resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         51 . The floating marine structure of  claim 49 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises an angle member.  
     
     
         52 . The floating marine structure of  claim 51 , wherein the angle member had a first portion and a second portion.  
     
     
         53 . The floating marine structure of  claim 52 , wherein the first portion of said angle member is attached to the rigid framework and the second portion of said angle member resides in said pocket.  
     
     
         54 . The floating marine structure of  claim 50 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises at least one vertical post.  
     
     
         55 . A floating marine structure for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a recreational implement;    a rigid framework for holding the recreational implement; and    a rigid floatation means for supporting the rigid framework and the recreational implement above the body of water by buoyancy of said floatation means when said floatation means is floating upon said body of water.    
     
     
         56 . The floating marine structure of  claim 55 , wherein the flotation means is rotationally molded plastic.  
     
     
         57 . The floating marine structure of  claim 56 , wherein the flotation means is a rectangularly shaped box.  
     
     
         58 . The floating marine structure of  claim 57 , wherein the flotation vessel is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         59 . The floating marine structure of  claim 58 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         60 . The floating marine structure of  claim 59 , wherein a ledge is molded into the floatation means and circumscribes the upper perimeter of said floatation means.  
     
     
         61 . The floating marine structure of  claim 60 , wherein the ledge defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the floatation means.  
     
     
         62 . The floating marine structure of  claim 61 , wherein at least one pocket is molded into the upper portion of the floatation means, such that said pocket forms a slot.  
     
     
         63 . The floating marine structure of  claim 57 , wherein the rigid framework comprises a hollow tube, such that said tube has a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the ledge.  
     
     
         64 . The floating marine structure of  claim 63 , wherein the rigid framework resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         65 . The floating marine structure of  claim 63 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises an angle member.  
     
     
         66 . The floating marine structure of  claim 65 , wherein the angle member had a first portion and a second portion.  
     
     
         67 . The floating marine structure of  claim 66 , wherein the first portion of said angle member is attached to the rigid framework and the second portion of said angle member resides in said pocket.  
     
     
         68 . The floating marine structure of  claim 64 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises at least one vertical post.  
     
     
         69 . A floating marine structure for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a recreational implement;    a rigid framework for holding the recreational implement;    floatation means for supporting the rigid framework and the recreational implement above the body of water by buoyancy of said floatation means when said floatation means is floating upon said body of water, wherein the floatation means includes an opening formed therein; and    a transparent member disposed in the opening formed in the floatation means.    
     
     
         70 . The floating marine structure of  claim 69 , wherein the flotation means is rotationally molded plastic.  
     
     
         71 . The floating marine structure of  claim 70 , wherein the flotation means is a rectangularly shaped box.  
     
     
         72 . The floating marine structure of  claim 71 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         73 . The floating marine structure of  claim 72 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         74 . The floating marine structure of  claim 71 , wherein a ledge is molded into the floatation means and circumscribes the upper perimeter of said floatation means.  
     
     
         75 . The floating marine structure of  claim 74 , wherein the ledge defines an upper portion and a lower portion of the floatation means.  
     
     
         76 . The floating marine structure of  claim 75 , wherein at least one pocket is molded into the upper portion of the floatation means, such that said pocket forms a slot.  
     
     
         77 . The floating marine structure of  claim 76 , wherein the rigid framework comprises a hollow tube, such that said tube has a cross-section corresponding to the shape of the ledge.  
     
     
         78 . The floating marine structure of  claim 77 , wherein the rigid framework resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         79 . The floating marine structure of  claim 77 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises an angle member.  
     
     
         80 . The floating marine structure of  claim 79 , wherein the angle member had a first portion and a second portion.  
     
     
         81 . The floating marine structure of  claim 80 , wherein the first portion of said angle member is attached to the rigid framework and the second portion of said angle member resides in said pocket.  
     
     
         82 . The floating marine structure of  claim 78 , wherein the rigid framework further comprises at least one vertical post.  
     
     
         83 . The floating marine structure of  claim 70 , wherein the transparent member is an argon filled glass box.  
     
     
         84 . A floating modular device for supporting recreational implements upon a body of water, comprising: 
 at least one flotation vessel;    at least one recreational implement;    an attachment means for attaching the flotation vessel to the recreational implement in a manner such that (1) said recreational implement resides above an uppermost portion of said floatation vessel; and (2) implement extends above a majority length of floatation;    a connection means for detachably connecting said floating modular device to another floating modular device.    
     
     
         85 . The floating modular device of  claim 84 , wherein the flotation vessel is a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         86 . The floating modular device of  claim 85 , wherein flotation vessel is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         87 . The floating playground of  claim 86 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         88 . The floating modular device of  claim 87 , wherein the floatation vessel is a rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         89 . The floating modular device of  claim 88 , wherein the floatation vessel has a ledge molded into the floatation vessel, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation vessel.  
     
     
         90 . The floating modular device of  claim 89 , wherein the attachment means is a frame, wherein said frame is a hollow tube with a rectangular cross-section.  
     
     
         91 . The floating modular device of  claim 90 , wherein said frame resides in the ledge of said floatation vessels.  
     
     
         92 . The floating modular device of  claim 91 , wherein the attachment means further comprises at least one post.  
     
     
         93 . The floating modular device of  claim 92 , wherein the connection means is a hinge pin assembly.  
     
     
         94 . The floating modular device of  claim 92 , wherein the connection means is a latch.  
     
     
         95 . A floating climbing wall for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a flotation means;    a surface with at least one grasping means;    an attachment means for attaching said flotation means to said surface; and    an adjustment means for adjusting said surface such that said surface can be configured at various angles.    
     
     
         96 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 95 , wherein the flotation means comprises a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         97 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 96 , wherein the flotation means is a general rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         98 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 97 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         99 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 98 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         100 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 99 , wherein the surface is an upwardly-extending wall.  
     
     
         101 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 100 , wherein the grasping means comprises elements that protrude from said vertical wall.  
     
     
         102 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 101 , wherein the grasping means further comprises recesses in said vertical wall.  
     
     
         103 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 102 , wherein the attachment means comprises a frame, wherein said frame resides on said flotation means and supports said surface.  
     
     
         104 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 103 , wherein the attachment means further comprises a plurality of clamps, such that said clamps attach said surface to said metal frame.  
     
     
         105 . The floating climbing wall of  claim 104 , wherein the adjustment means comprises an adjustable bracket, such that said bracket attaches to said surface and said attachment means.  
     
     
         106 . A floating, retractable slide for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a slide;    a flotation means;    an attachment means for attaching said slide to said flotation means; and    a retraction means for retracting said slide.    
     
     
         107 . The floating slide of  claim 106 , wherein the flotation means comprises a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         108 . The floating slide of  claim 107 , wherein the flotation means is a general rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         109 . The floating slide of  claim 108 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         110 . The floating slide of  claim 109 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         111 . The floating slide of  claim 110 , wherein the attachment means comprises a frame attached to said flotation means.  
     
     
         112 . The floating slide of  claim 111 , where the retraction means comprises an upper attachment bracket and a lower attachment bracket, such that the upper attachment bracket attaches to the upper portion of the slide and detachably attaches to said frame, and wherein the lower attachment bracket pivotally attaches the lower portion of said slide to said frame.  
     
     
         113 . A floating multi-surface marine structure for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a floatation vessel;    at least two laterally-extending surfaces supported above the body of water by buoyancy of the floatation vessel when said floatation vessel is floating upon said body of water;    a recreational implement, wherein at least one of the laterally-extending surfaces is formed in part by said recreational implement;    wherein one of the laterally-extending surfaces resides above the other laterally-extending surface and comprises an area that is at least as large as a majority area of said other the laterally-extending surface.    
     
     
         114 . The floating marine structure of  claim 113 , wherein the flotation vessel is a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         115 . The floating marine structure of  claim 114 , wherein flotation vessel is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         116 . The floating marine structure of  claim 115 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         117 . The floating marine structure of  claim 116 , wherein the floatation vessel is a rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         118 . The floating marine structure of  claim 117 , wherein the floatation vessel has a ledge molded into the floatation vessel, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation vessel.  
     
     
         119 . The floating marine structure of  claim 118 , wherein the a rigid frame resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         120 . The floating marine structure of  claim 119 , wherein the two later ally-extending surfaces are attached to said frame.  
     
     
         121 . The floating marine structure of  claim 120 , wherein said surfaces are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween.  
     
     
         122 . A floating multi-surface marine structure for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 at least two laterally-extending surfaces;    floatation means for supporting the laterally-extending surfaces above the body of water by buoyancy of said floatation means when said floatation means is floating upon said body of water;    a recreational implement, wherein at least one of the laterally-extending surfaces is formed in part by said recreational implement;    wherein one of the laterally-extending surfaces resides at a higher elevation than the other laterally-extending surface when said surfaces are supported by the floatation means;    wherein the recreational implement further comprises a rigid framework for holding the laterally-extending surface of said recreational implement.    
     
     
         123 . The floating marine structure of  claim 122 , wherein the flotation means is a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         124 . The floating marine structure of  claim 123 , wherein flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         125 . The floating marine structure of  claim 124 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         126 . The floating marine structure of  claim 125 , wherein the floatation means is a rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         127 . The floating marine structure of  claim 126 , wherein the floatation means has a ledge molded into the floatation vessel, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation vessel.  
     
     
         128 . The floating marine structure of  claim 127 , wherein a rigid frame resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         129 . The floating marine structure of  claim 128 , wherein the recreational implement is attached to the rigid frame residing in the ledge of the floatation means.  
     
     
         130 . A floating marine structure for supporting recreational implements above a body of water, comprising: 
 a flotation means;    at least one recreational implement; and    an attachment means for attaching the recreational implement to the flotation means such that a majority of the recreational implement extends away from said floatation means and is suspended directly over the water.    
     
     
         131 . The floating marine structure of  claim 130 , wherein the flotation means is a rotationally molded plastic vessel.  
     
     
         132 . The floating marine structure of  claim 131 , wherein the flotation means is filled with an air-filled matrix.  
     
     
         133 . The floating marine structure of  claim 132 , wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene.  
     
     
         134 . The floating marine structure of  claim 133 , wherein the floatation means is a rectangular shaped box.  
     
     
         135 . The floating marine structure of  claim 134 , wherein the floatation means has a ledge molded into the floatation vessel, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation vessel.  
     
     
         136 . The floating marine structure of  claim 135 , wherein a rigid frame resides in said ledge.  
     
     
         137 . The floating marine structure of  claim 136 , wherein the attachment means detachably attaches the recreational implement to the rigid frame.  
     
     
         138 . The floating marine structure of  claim 137 , wherein the recreational implement further comprises at least two attachment means, such that said recreational implement detachably attaches to at least two floatation means, such that said recreational implement is suspended above the water.  
     
     
         139 . The floating marine structure of  claim 41 , wherein the floatation means comprises a vessel providing buoyancy along a majority length of said vessel.  
     
     
         140 . The floating marine structure of  claim 41 , wherein the frame defines a perimeter, and the rec. implement spans said perimeter.  
     
     
         141 . A floating playground for use upon a body of water, comprising: 
 a first rigid floatation means;    a first support means disposed on the first floatation means for supporting a recreational implement;    a first recreational implement;    a second rigid floatation means;    a second support means disposed on the second floatation means for supporting an object;    an attachment means for (i) attaching the first floatation means to the second floatation means, or (ii) intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement such that said first and second floatation means are spaced apart by said second recreational implement, said second recreational implement spanning a separation space residing between said first and second floatation means;    wherein the first and second flotation means comprise a rotationally molded plastic vessel;    wherein the first and second flotation means each contain an air-filled matrix;    wherein the air-filled matrix is expanded polystyrene;    wherein the first and second floatation means each comprises a rectangular shaped box;    wherein the floatation means has a ledge molded into the floatation means, such that said ledge encircles the outer perimeter of said floatation means;    wherein the first and second support means is a frame, wherein said frame is a hollow tube with a rectangular cross-section;    wherein said frame resides in the ledge of said floatation vessels;    wherein the attachment means for attaching the first floatation means to the second floatation means is a hinge pin assembly;    wherein the attachment means for intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement includes a U-joint, such that said U-joint provides two degrees of movement;    wherein the attachment means for intercoupling the first floatation means and the second floatation means with a second recreational implement includes a U-joint, such that said spherical end joint provides three degrees of movement;    wherein the first recreational implement comprises at least one of the group of: an upwardly-extending wall having a grasping means, a ladder, a basket, a swing, a trampoline, a climbing rope, a swinging disc, a trapeze bar, a climbing net, and a slide; and    a transparent member disposed in the floatation means to thereby enable a user supported by said floatation to see through said transparent member into the body of water.    
     
     
         142 . The floating playground of  claim 141 , further comprising a propelling means for propelling the floating playground from one location to another upon a body of water.