Modular play center

Abstract

A play center is described that is formed from multiple interconnected, modular polygonal decking components attached to and receiving water from one or more monopoles. The monopoles contain pressurized water and includes ports for distributing water to various water features distributed around the play center. Monoliths are attached to one or more sides of each of the decking components and are comprised of one or more panels and frame elements. The monoliths are removably connected to the decking components such that each monolith may be removed from one side of the decking and reconnected to another side of the decking, or be replaced with a different monolith. The play center also includes one or more elevated water control stations hidden within a monolith that allow for various adjustments to be made to the output of water to the water features of the play center.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A play center, comprising:
 a monopole configured to distribute fluid to the play center; and   a plurality of polygonal decking components elevated above the ground, the plurality of polygonal decking components comprising:
 a first polygonal decking component having a first plurality of sides; and 
 a second polygonal decking component coupled to the first polygonal decking component and having a second plurality of sides different from the first plurality of sides 
   wherein the plurality of polygonal decking components are supported above the ground at least in part by the monopole and wherein two or more sides of the first plurality of sides have a first width that matches a second width of two or more sides of the second plurality of sides.   
     
     
         2 . The play center of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of monoliths,
 wherein a first one of the plurality of monoliths is attached to one of the two or more sides of the first plurality of sides and a second one of the plurality of monoliths is attached to one of the two or more sides of the second plurality of sides.   
     
     
         3 . The play center of  claim 2 , wherein a first one of the plurality of monoliths is a guardrail and a second one of the plurality of monoliths is a slide entry component. 
     
     
         4 . The play center of  claim 1 , further comprising a stairs component, wherein a first end of the stairs component is coupled directly the first polygonal decking component and a second end of the stairs component is coupled directly to the second polygonal decking component. 
     
     
         5 . The play center of  claim 4 , further comprising a second stairs component and a third polygonal decking component, wherein a first end of the second stairs component is coupled directly to the third polygonal decking component and a second end of the second stairs component is coupled directly to the second polygonal decking component. 
     
     
         6 . The play center of  claim 5 , wherein a portion of the play center that includes the first, second and third polygonal decking structures wraps at least partially around the monopole to form a twisting staircase. 
     
     
         7 . The play center of  claim 1 , wherein the first polygonal decking component is coupled directly to the second polygonal decking component and wherein a first upward facing surface of a first decking layer of the first polygonal decking component is vertically offset from a second upward facing surface of a second decking layer of the second polygonal decking component. 
     
     
         8 . The play center of  claim 1 , wherein a first one of the two or more sides of the first plurality of sides of the first polygonal decking component is coupled directly to a second one of the two or more sides of the second plurality of sides of the second polygonal decking component. 
     
     
         9 . The play center of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of wet elements distributed across the play center, wherein the first one of the plurality of monoliths comprises a plurality of valves allowing for adjustment of a rate of flow of water from the monopole to two or more of the plurality of wet elements. 
     
     
         10 . The play center of  claim 9 , wherein the two or more of the plurality of wet elements are in line of sight view from the first one of the plurality of monoliths. 
     
     
         11 . The play center of  claim 10 , wherein a wet element of the two or more of the plurality of wet elements is a sprayer. 
     
     
         12 . The play center of  claim 9 , further comprising a manifold attached to a port protruding from the monopole that is configured to provide pressurized water to the manifold, wherein the manifold is attached to a first length of piping extending between the manifold and a first valve of the plurality of valves and also attached to a second length of piping extending between the manifold and a second valve of the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         13 . The play center of  claim 12 , wherein the first one of the plurality of monoliths comprises an access panel allowing for the plurality of access valves to be independently adjusted to fine tune water flow to particular ones of the plurality of wet elements. 
     
     
         14 . The play center of  claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of wet elements distributed across the play center, wherein the first polygonal decking component comprises a plurality of valves allowing for adjustment of a rate of flow of water from the monopole to two or more of the plurality of wet elements and wherein the first polygonal decking component includes an access panel allowing access to the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         15 . The play center of  claim 2 , wherein the first of the plurality of monoliths includes a first wet element that is interchangeable with a second wet element that is included with the second of the plurality of monoliths. 
     
     
         16 . A play center comprising:
 a monopole configured to distribute fluid to the play center; and   a plurality of polygonal decking components, comprising:
 a first polygonal decking component having a first plurality of sides; and 
 a second polygonal decking component coupled directly to the first polygonal decking component and having a second plurality of sides different from the first plurality of sides 
   wherein the plurality of polygonal decking components are supported above the ground at least in part by the monopole and wherein the sides of the first plurality of sides have a first width that matches a second width of the sides of the second plurality of sides.   
     
     
         17 . The play center of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of monoliths,
 wherein a first one of the plurality of monoliths is attached to one of the sides of the first plurality of sides and a second one of the plurality of monoliths is attached to one side of the second plurality of sides.   
     
     
         18 . The play center of  claim 17 , further comprising a plurality of wet elements distributed across the play center, wherein the first one of the plurality of monoliths comprises a plurality of valves allowing for adjustment of a rate of flow of water from the monopole to two or more of the plurality of wet elements. 
     
     
         19 . The play center of  claim 18 , further comprising a manifold attached to a port protruding from the monopole that is configured to provide pressurized water to the manifold, wherein the manifold is attached to a first length of piping extending between the manifold and a first valve of the plurality of valves and also attached to a second length of piping extending between the manifold and a second valve of the plurality of valves. 
     
     
         20 . The play center of  claim 19 , wherein the first one of the plurality of monoliths comprises an access panel allowing for the plurality of access valves to be independently adjusted to fine tune water flow to particular ones of the plurality of wet elements.