Universal mounting fixture and interchangeable water park features and methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to in one aspect a universal mounting fixture for installation of an associated water feature apparatus. The universal mounting fixture comprises a housing, which may be designed to be cast in position within a water park surface. The housing has an interior sealing surface, and an inlet adapted to be coupled to a water supply for providing water to a water feature mounted in association with the housing. The water feature has an inlet for engaging and sealing with the sealing surface. The sealing surface may define an opening dimensioned to accept the inlet of a water feature fixture in sealing relationship therewith. When water is supplied to the receptacle housing, it will in turn flow to the water feature mounted therewith. The receptacle housing and mounting surface accommodate both inlets from above grade and below grade water feature fixtures. The universal mounting fixture and associated water feature, which may be both above grade and below grade water features, allows the interchangeability of water features within a water park, providing flexibility in changing the design of the water park and features, without requiring reconfiguration of the water supply system or other aspects of the water park design. Other devices and methods according to the invention are set forth.

1 . A universal mounting fixture for installation of water feature apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing designed to be positioned within a water park surface, the housing having a interior sealing surface, and an inlet adapted to be coupled to a water supply for providing water to a water feature mounted in association with the housing,    the sealing surface defining an opening, the opening dimensioned to accept an inlet of a water feature fixture in sealing relationship, such that water supplied to the receptacle housing will flow to the water feature mounted therewith, wherein the housing and mounting surface accommodate both inlets from above ground and below ground water feature fixtures.    
   
   
       2 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member comprises a sealing surface which is tapered to facilitate sealing with a water feature fixture.  
   
   
       3 . The mounting fixture of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing surface is tapered from a larger dimensioned open end to receive a water supply conduit of a water feature fixture, to a smaller dimensioned end, to facilitate sealing with a water feature fixture.  
   
   
       4 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing surface accommodates an amount of misalignment of the water feature fixture inlet while properly sealing therewith.  
   
   
       5 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle housing interior surface tapers outwardly to form a widened portion above the water supply inlet.  
   
   
       6 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle housing is adapted to be cast into a concrete surface.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the above grade or below grade water feature fixture includes adapted inlet to allow installation in association with the seal member within the receptacle housing.  
   
   
       8 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover to be selectively positioned to enclose the interior of the receptacle housing.  
   
   
       9 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member comprises a sealing surface which is tapered to facilitate sealing with a water feature fixture.  
   
   
       10 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the seal member is formed to seal with an inlet of the water feature fixture, and to allow the water feature fixture to be leveled or rotated with respect to the water park surface while in sealing engagement.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting fixture is formed to accommodate alternative sized inlets of the water feature fixtures.  
   
   
       12 . The mounting fixture of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting fixture includes a retaining cover formed to below grade water feature fixtures.  
   
   
       13 . A water feature comprising, 
 a mounting fixture having a housing designed to be installed in a position within a water park surface, the housing having an inlet adapted to be coupled to a water supply for providing water to a water feature mounted in association with the housing, and an interior sealing surface adapted to engage and seal with a water feature, and    a water feature having an inlet which is selectively coupled to the mounting fixture in sealing engagement with the sealing surface of the mounting fixture, whereby water from the water supply is directed to the water feature through the mounting fixture and inlet thereof.    
   
   
       14 . The water feature according to  claim 13 , wherein the inlet of the water feature is dimensioned to engage the sealing surface of the mounting fixture.  
   
   
       15 . The water feature according to  claim 13 , wherein the housing and sealing surface accommodate inlets from both above grade and below grade water features.  
   
   
       16 . The water feature according to  claim 13 , wherein the water feature is an above grade water feature includes an inlet extending downwardly from a surface to which the water feature is to be positioned, with the inlet extending into engagement with the sealing surface.  
   
   
       17 . The water feature according to  claim 13 , wherein the water feature is a below grade feature having a housing dimensioned to engage the sealing surface of the mounting fixture, and extending upwardly to a top surface positioned substantially flush with the surface to which the feature is to be positioned.  
   
   
       18 . The water feature according to  claim 17 , wherein the below grade feature includes a cover which provides water dispensing characteristics therefrom.  
   
   
       19 . The water feature according to  claim 18 , wherein the cover is selectively changed to alter the water dispensing characteristics of the below grade feature.  
   
   
       20 . A method of altering the configuration of water feature fixtures within a water park comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of universal mounting fixtures, each mounting fixture having a receptacle housing designed to be cast in position within a water park surface, the receptacle housing having a interior mounting surface with a seal, wherein both above grade and below grade water feature fixtures are accommodated by the mounting fixture, and having an inlet,    providing a supply of water from a water supply to the inlet of each mounting fixture, and thereby selectively to a water feature fixture mounted in association with the receptacle housing,    selectively installing an above grade or below grade water feature fixture in association with the particular mounting fixture in a sealing manner, and    selectively changing the water feature fixture in one or more of the mounting fixtures so as to alter the configuration of the water features in the water park.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the above grade and below grade water feature fixtures include an inlet adapted to sealingly engage with the mounting fixture.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the receptacle housing is provided with a lid to selectively close the receptacle for winterization or subsequent use.  
   
   
       23 . An adjustable below grade water feature apparatus, comprising: 
 a housing having a water inlet and internal conduit through which water is supplied to a water dispensing system associated therewith, the water dispensing system comprising a plurality of selectively installed covers, each of which provide predetermined and varying water dispensing characteristics from the water feature when provided therewith, wherein alternative covers may be installed to selectively alter the water dispensing characteristics of the water feature.    
   
   
       24 . The water feature apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a type of cover is adapted to retain a swivel ball jet device having an outlet in association therewith, wherein the orientation of the outlet is selectively altered to modify the dispensing characteristics of the water feature.  
   
   
       25 . The water feature apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a type of cover includes at least one hole through which water is dispensed.  
   
   
       26 . The water feature apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein a plurality of holes are provided in the cover, through which water is dispensed.