U.S. patent application number 12/785857 was filed with the patent office on 2010-09-16 for self inflating pool.
Invention is credited to Chen Samuel.
Application Number | 20100229296 12/785857 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42729456 |
Filed Date | 2010-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100229296 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Samuel; Chen |
September 16, 2010 |
Self Inflating Pool
Abstract
A lower water chamber is constructed and held in a bladder which
underlies the floor of the pool. The lower water chamber
constitutes the base of the pool and is initially hollow and empty
before being filled with water. The water chamber has a fill
opening and a drain opening. The fill opening has a valve for
receiving a standard garden hose. The drain opening preferably also
has a rigid connection for receiving a standard garden hose. After
the water bladder is filled, the user closes the fill opening and
the drain to make a closed water bladder. The water bladder is
preferably made of a plastic, polyolefin, or elastomeric type of
material which is watertight and strong enough to hold the weight
of children. The pool is preferably self inflating.
Inventors: |
Samuel; Chen; (Shanghai,
CN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF CLEMENT CHENG
17220 NEWHOPE STREET #127
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
CA
92708
US
|
Family ID: |
42729456 |
Appl. No.: |
12/785857 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12148369 |
Apr 19, 2008 |
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12785857 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
4/506 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 4/0025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
4/506 |
International
Class: |
E04H 4/00 20060101
E04H004/00 |
Claims
1. A water conservation pool comprising: a. a water bladder having
an inlet, wherein the water bladder is hollow and flexible for
filling with water, wherein the water bladder is strong enough to
support the weight of children on top; b. a bounce surface disposed
on a top surface of the water bladder; c. an inflatable rim above
the water bladder bounce surface; d. a sidewall extending from the
water bladder to the inflatable rim for retaining water in a water
open area, wherein the sidewall is collapsible when the pool is
empty.
2. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower such that it has sufficient
inflation pressure to prevent substantial deformation of the water
bladder.
3. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from an air
blower.
4. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower, wherein the water wall retains a shallow pool water above
the water bladder.
5. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the bounce
surface is not flat, but instead defines a shallow basin for
retaining a shallow pool of water above the water bladder.
6. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the bounce
surface is flat and further including water bladder walls
protruding from the water bladder, wherein the water bladder walls
retain water in a shallow pool above the water bladder.
7. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower, wherein the water wall retains a shallow pool water above
the water bladder, wherein the bounce surface is not flat, but
instead defines a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of
water above the water bladder.
8. The water conservation pool of claim 1, further comprising
substantially vertical inflatable ribs attached to the inflatable
rim at a top portion of the inflatable ribs.
9. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower such that it has sufficient
inflation pressure to prevent substantial deformation of the water
bladder.
10. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from an air
blower.
11. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower, wherein the water wall retains a shallow pool water above
the water bladder.
12. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the bounce
surface is not flat, but instead defines a shallow basin for
retaining a shallow pool of water above the water bladder.
13. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the bounce
surface is flat and further including water bladder walls
protruding from the water bladder, wherein the water bladder walls
retain water in a shallow pool above the water bladder.
14. The water conservation pool of claim 1, wherein the sidewall
further comprises a water wall, wherein the water wall is filled
with air blown from an air blower, wherein the water wall has air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower, wherein the water wall retains a shallow pool water above
the water bladder, wherein the bounce surface is not flat, but
instead defines a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of
water above the water bladder.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation in part of and claims
priority from Samuel Chen's U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/148,369 filed Apr. 18, 2008 titled Water Conservation Pool, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of self inflating
pools.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] In the summertime, children like to play in water such as
pools. For those smaller children such as toddlers and infants, the
small inflatable pool in the backyard is one of those traditional
means for cooling off. If the pool is filled with a garden hose,
the water is usually cool enough to help kids cool off. Also, the
small inflatable pool allows parents to watch the children without
worrying about the increased risk of drowning from a traditional
inground swimming pool. Many children under three years old are
still unable to swim and those that do often just want to splash
around for an hour or two before their afternoon nap. One of the
main benefits of the small inflatable pool is the relatively low
cost. Also, children are less likely to suffer head injuries on
concrete surfaces if they are sitting in an inflated pool that is
on the backyard lawn. The above-mentioned benefits of the
traditional small inflatable pool has made it extremely popular in
the United States and around the world.
[0004] While the children are in the garden playing in the pool,
the house can be empty and does not need air conditioning, which
saves a tremendous amount of energy. Sometimes, with rolling
blackouts and power outages due to excessive air-conditioning
usage, adults can also sit in the kiddie pool to cool off.
Therefore, the ubiquitous small inflatable pool commonly set up in
the backyard has a variety of utilitarian benefits.
[0005] Unfortunately, the inflatable pool requires a substantial
amount of water, which evaporates after use, or is dumped on the
lawn. After children play in the pool, the water is typically
emptied out and lost. The water cannot be kept in the pool for an
extended amount of time since mosquitoes would multiply in it and
it would generally become somewhat yucky over time especially if
kids peed in the pool. Therefore, while the traditional inflatable
pool has the benefit of saving a tremendous amount of air
conditioning energy, it has the drawback of consuming water.
[0006] Other inflatable structures that to not use water are also
enjoyable, such as inflatable jump houses, however these inflatable
jump houses do not provide cooling for children. Therefore, it is a
present object of the invention to provide a kiddie pool that is
novel and conserves water. An additional object of the invention is
to have the pool self inflating. A self inflating pool is a pool
that is initially not fully deployed, but which deploys itself
during the process of the filling of the pool. Thus, a self
inflating pool can be inflated with water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In the invention, a lower water chamber is constructed and
held in a bladder which underlies the floor of the pool. The lower
water chamber constitutes the base of the pool and is initially
hollow and empty before being filled with water. The water chamber
has a fill opening and a drain opening. The fill opening has a
valve for receiving a standard garden hose. The drain opening
preferably also has a rigid connection for receiving a standard
garden hose. After the water bladder is filled, the user closes the
fill opening and the drain to make a closed water bladder. The
water bladder is preferably made of a plastic, polyolefin, or
elastomeric type of material which is watertight and strong enough
to hold the weight of children.
[0008] Above the water chamber is a bouncing surface. The children
walking on the water bladder, also called the water chamber may
bounce and create waves on the bouncing surface. The bouncing
surface is preferably circular for providing a circular play area
for children. The bouncing surface is bounded by a water wall. The
water wall can be filled with water or air, or a mixture of the two
for the purpose of retaining an open water area. The open water
area above the water chamber is filled with a few inches of water
for the children to splash around in.
[0009] As the children splash in the open water area, they can cool
off and also simultaneously enjoy the sensation of the bouncing
water chamber. The open water area may also receive other elements
such as sand, or plastic balls which enhance the fun factor and
entertainment value of the open water area. After usage, the open
water area can be drained out by an open area water drain without
draining the lower water bladder.
[0010] The water wall can be made as a flowing air embodiment
having nylon air porous fabric inflated by a fan. The water wall
may further surround the sidewalls of the water bladder so that
only the top portion of the water bladder is exposed as the
bouncing surface. The water wall may further have stabilizing
chambers to provide additional footing and support for the water
walls. When the water wall is a blown embodiment, the water wall
also extends downward to support the sidewalls of the water
bladder. When the water wall is a blown embodiment, discontinuation
of fan power drops the walls so that the water in the open water
area drains out automatically.
[0011] By combining the water bladder with the open water area, the
present invention provides a fun and novel splashing experience
without using much water. The invention aims to have a different
type of outdoor summertime experience for children and toddlers.
While the pool of water in the open water area is shallow, parental
supervision remains absolutely vital for child safety.
[0012] A water conservation pool has a water bladder having an
inlet. The water bladder is hollow and flexible for filling with
water. The water bladder is strong enough to support the weight of
children on top. A bounce surface is disposed on a top surface of
the water bladder. An inflatable rim above the water bladder bounce
surface. A sidewall extends from the water bladder to the
inflatable rim for retaining water in a water open area. The
sidewall is collapsible when the pool is empty.
[0013] The sidewall may further include a water wall together with
the sidewall formed as a number of panels. The water wall can be is
filled with air blown from an air blower such that it has
sufficient inflation pressure to prevent substantial deformation of
the water bladder. The water wall may have air stabilizing chambers
that are filled with air blown from an air blower or be filled with
air blown from an air blower. The water wall may have air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower, and optionally the water wall retains a shallow pool water
above the water bladder.
[0014] The bounce surface can be made not flat, but instead define
a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of water above the
water bladder. The bounce surface can be flat and have water
bladder walls protruding from the water bladder. The water bladder
walls retain water in a shallow pool above the water bladder. If
the sidewall includes a water wall when the sidewall is made of
multiple layers, the water wall can be partially or entirely filled
with air blown from an air blower. The water wall may have air
stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air
blower. The water wall preferably retains a shallow pool water
above the water bladder. The bounce surface is preferably not flat,
but instead defines a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of
water above the water bladder. Portions of the sidewall or water
wall can be formed as vertical inflatable ribs attached to the
inflatable rim at a top portion of the inflatable ribs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the present
invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a fourth embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention.
[0022] None of the figures are drawn to scale. The following call
out list of elements is presented below for ease of cross-reference
in identifying elements in the drawings: [0023] 51 Inflatable Rim
[0024] 52 Inflatable Rib [0025] 53 Sidewall Panel [0026] 54 Lower
Sidewall Connection [0027] 55 Rib Edge [0028] 56 Rib Tip [0029] 57
Rim Edge [0030] 65 Intermediate Wall [0031] 70 Water Open Area
[0032] 72 Water Wall [0033] 74 Water Bladder Walls [0034] 77 Bounce
Surface [0035] 79 Fluid Stabilizing Chamber [0036] 86 Water Outlet
[0037] 89 Water Inlet [0038] 88 Water Bladder [0039] 90 Air Blower
[0040] 95 Air Blower Tube [0041] 99 Logo Imprinting Area On
Sidewall
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The first figure shows the present invention with a water
bladder 88 providing a circular or oval bounce surface 77 with a
number of air stabilizing chambers in connection with a water wall
72.
[0043] The air blower tube 95 is attached to a fan air blower 90.
The fan air blower 90 is typically found in inflating play
structures, and is electrically powered by household current. The
air from air blower tube 95 enters the water wall 72, and supports
the sidewalls 99 of the water wall 72 A logo can be imprinted on
the water wall 72. The air from the water wall 72 also leaks
through, or passes through by apertures, or large hole mesh into
stabilizing chambers 79. The stabilizing chambers 79 are shaped as
footings or supports that help hold the structure in place. The
water wall 72 is filled with a fluid such as air or water as an
inflation pressure such that it remains substantially rigid during
use. The water wall 72 supports the water bladder around a
periphery of the water bladder. The top of the water wall 72
preferably further includes a flat buffer area 67 which is a
transition area between the water and the lawn. The flat buffer
area 67 can also be padded on top by plastic foam if necessary. The
flat buffer area annularly surrounds the bounce surface.
[0044] The water bladder 88 preferably has a substantially circular
footprint approximately 8 feet in diameter and is preferably around
16 or 18 inches in height. The pool of water can be around 12'' to
2'' of water for the children to play in. PVC is the preferred
material for the water bladder 88.
[0045] The height of the stabilizing chambers is preferably about
36 inches. The height of the water wall is preferably about 24
inches. The top width of the water wall which is the flat buffer
area 67 is preferably about 16 inches and the bottom width is
preferably about 24 inches. The dimensions mentioned above are
thought to be the best mode. Even if the dimensions are changed
over 50%, the invention is still operable. For example, the
stabilizing chambers can be over 5 feet tall and still be fun and
operable. The top of the bounce surface can be printed with a
themed graphic such as the surface of a moon, or beach sand. The
graphic can be printed by corona printing, screen printing or any
other means commonly known in the industry.
[0046] The material of the stabilizing chambers 79, and the water
wall 72 is preferably nylon, with a uniform air leakage, so that
air can exit uniformly from the airblown frame. The area where the
nylon fabric supports the water bladder and the water open area 70,
is preferably coated with a waterproof surface, or a laminated
strip of plastic to keep the water from leaking through the air
porous nylon fabric.
[0047] The first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
1 is shown as a cross-section in FIG. 2 which shows the air
stabilizing chambers 79 supporting the water wall 72 which in turn
supports the water bladder 88. The water bladder 88 and the water
wall 72 contain the water in the water open area 70. The water in
the water open area 70 is exposed to the environment, whereas the
water in the water bladder 88 is sealed. The bounce surface 77 is
preferably loose enough so that waves form while children walk over
the bounce surface 77. The bounce surface is not pulled taught as
in a trampoline, but rather the opposite so that it absorbs leg
energy of a child instead of amplifying leg energy. This provides
an experience substantially opposite to that of a trampoline, in
that the water bladder 88 inhibits jumping. The bounce surface 77
absorbs children's bounces. The outlet 86 preferably has a screw
cap or other valve for retaining water within the water bladder 88
during use, but allowing release of water if the apparatus needs to
be moved to a different location. Similarly, inlet 89 is preferably
designed to have a screw cap or other type of valve for retaining
water within the water bladder 88 during use. The inlet 89
preferably receives a garden hose for rapid fill. When the water
wall 72 is deflated of air, the water in the water open area 70
drains.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 3, water bladder walls 74 have replaced the role of the
water wall 72. The water wall 72 is now supporting the water
bladder walls. The water bladder walls 74 may or may not have fluid
communication with the water bladder 88. The bounce surface 77 is
relatively horizontal. The water bladder walls 74 are filled with
water and water may or may not flow between the water bladder 88
and the water bladder walls 74. When made as a separate element,
the water bladder walls 74 are partitioned from the water bladder
88 by an intermediate wall 65. When made so that there is water
flow, the intermediate wall 65 has apertures allowing water flow.
Also, when made so that there is water flow, the intermediate wall
65 may be omitted. When the water wall 72 is deflated of air, the
water bladder walls 74 can be pressed by hand to drop and empty out
the water in the water open area 70. In this case, the water wall
72 can be filled with water or air.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention
with an open water area 70 that is concave and somewhat parabolic
in shape with sloped walls that retain the water. Again, a bounce
surface is disposed and defined on the top surface of the water
bladder 88. The water bladder in FIG. 4 has a substantially
circular footprint. The bounce surface 77 being gently sloped
collects water and children in the middle to avoid people and water
falling out. Therefore, the water open area 70 is defined as a base
that has a sloping bottom surface in the third embodiment. The
supporting water wall 72 is disclosed as an annular fitting around
the water bladder 88. The water wall 72 is preferably filled with a
fluid such as air, and is preferably closed sealed air as opposed
to airblown. The water wall 72 can also be filled with a fluid such
as water.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention
with an open water area 70 that shows a convex bounce surface. The
pool of water is therefore deeper at the sides than in the middle.
For small toddlers that may become trapped in the middle, the
convex bounce surface pushes them to the outside and allows easier
job retrieval in case children fall down or start struggling
uncontrollably in the water. In the fourth embodiment, the water
walls 72 are optional. The water bladder walls 74 may be the sole
support for the water retained in the open water area. Water walls
72 are preferred since they keep the water from draining out when
the kids crawl into the open water area. Children should be allowed
to deform the soft water bladder walls 74, since soft surfaces
prevent injury, however water walls 72 would save more water by
keeping water from leaking out the sides during entry and exit. The
water walls 72 are not drawn to scale. In the fourth embodiment,
when the water is not filled very high, an island forms in the
middle that is dry. Children may retreat to the island, dry
themselves out, then come back into the water to splash around.
Again, the figure is not drawn to scale.
[0051] Additionally, water, sand or hollow plastic balls can be
added to the open water area for additional fun factor. With sand,
children can watch the sand scatter and make different wave
patterns.
[0052] An addition of an inflatable rim 51 provides additional
support for a rim of the pool, and the inflatable rim is connected
at a rim edge 57 to a plurality of sidewall panel 53. The rim edge
57 is also connected to a number of equally spaced inflatable ribs
52. The inflatable ribs taper downward to a rib tip 56 from the
inflatable rim 51. Inflatable ribs are connected to the sidewall 53
at a rib edge 55. The water bladder 88 is connected to the sidewall
53 at a lower sidewall connection 54. The lower sidewall connection
54 extends circumferentially around the periphery of the water
bladder 88. The sidewall panel 53 is substantially flexible and can
be of one or more sheets of laminated plastic or fabric. The
sidewall panel 53 is optionally inflated with water or air, but
preferably not inflated. The sidewall panel 53 preferably has
sufficient flexibility to conform to receive water in the water
holding area of the pool above water bladder.
[0053] The apparatus with an inflatable rim 51 is set up first
filling the water bladder 88, then inflating by air, the inflatable
rim 51 and optionally the inflatable ribs 52. The inflatable ribs
52 can be made of a material more elastic than the material of the
sidewall 53. As the water enters the opening of the inflatable rim,
the inflatable rim floats upward and a water holding area is
defined.
[0054] During use, people such as children jump on the water
bladder 88 for an energy absorbing bounce like experience.
Preferably, the about six vertical ribs may assist in initially
supporting the inflatable rim at least some distance above the
ground when the six vertical ribs are initially inflated, for the
purpose of providing a height of the inflatable rim 51 above the
ground during initial water introduction.
[0055] Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with
reference only to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided
without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the
invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *