PORTABLE AND CONVERTIBLE IN-GROUND INFANT POOL

Abstract

A portable and convertible in-ground infant pool includes a flexible inner cavity having a substantially water impervious base and substantially water impervious sidewall(s) and an outwardly projecting flange that extends from an upper sidewall rim. The base and sidewall(s) seat within a recess or cavity or hole, such as may be formed in beach sand. The flange seats on the beach or ground surface around the periphery of the cavity. Water is poured into the pool for infant play. When water is emptied from the pool, a cinching mechanism at or along the perimeter of the flange rim, when activated, permits the infant pool to be converted from a pool configuration to a pool-in-a bag or carryall.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates to portable and convertible in-ground infant or baby pools.

2. Background

During the hot, summer months, families often visit the beach to enjoy the ocean breezes and cooling waters. But, rolling waves of ocean waters—even very shallow ocean waters—pose dangers to small children in view of water depth, waves and undertows. Infants, in particular, are at substantial risk of drowning. Because of these dangers, during visits to the beach, infants are usually contained in areas a good distance away from ocean waters. These areas may be on a parent's lap, a blanket, or even in the sand. Sometimes infants are carried into the water or splashed with nearby water. But most of the time, because of various safety concerns, parents keep infants away from the ocean waters.

Taking a portable pool to the beach would allow an infant to enjoy water play without encountering the dangers of ocean waters. Unfortunately, many portable pools for children are inflatable, large, and cumbersome. Most parents, therefore, do not even consider taking a portable pool to the beach. Instead, portable pools are reserved for family time at home, such as in the backyard.

Although many have proposed portable pools for small children, few, if any, include convenient features that allow parents take a portable pool to the beach. Portable pools typically require significant assembly and/or inflation. Some portable pools also include parts, such as stakes, which could cause injury if inappropriately grabbed by a child. In addition, many portable pools are too large for infant play. Most are designed to hold more water and accommodate larger children—not infants.

Considering these and other limitations of portable pools, there is a clear need for a portable and convertible in-ground infant pool. The present invention fulfills this need and provides further related advantages, as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a portable and convertible in-ground infant pool includes a flexible inner cavity having a substantially water impervious base and sidewall and an outwardly projecting flange, connected to an upper sidewall rim. A cinching mechanism is routed through a plurality of apertures and positioned along the perimeter of a flange rim such that upon pulling of the cinching mechanism the infant pool is converted from a pool configuration to a pool-in-a-bag or carryall configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable and convertible in-ground infant pool in a pool configuration, showing an infant enjoying water play at the beach;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the infant pool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the infant pool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a pool-in-a-bag in a bag or carryall configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cinched pool-in-a-bag in a bag or carryall configuration, incorporating a hook.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a portable and convertible in-ground infant pool 10 in a pool configuration. The infant pool is suitable for placement into a hole, recess or cavity formed in beach sand 12, where the term “sand” is broadly construed herein to include any fine particle substance, which can be conformed for placement of the infant pool 10. Specifically, a sand cavity 14 is used for positioning and placement of the infant pool 10 into the sand. The sand cavity, however, does not require specific depth or perimeter dimensions due to the flexible nature of the infant pool, as explained in more detail here.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the infant pool 10 includes a flexible inner cavity 16 of sufficient width and depth and perimeter to contain either an infant 18 ranging from about 4 to 12 months in age or a toddler ranging from about 12 to 24 months in age. Where the pool is sized to accommodate an infant, water capacity of the inner cavity ranges from about 4 to 5 gallons. Where the pool is sized to accommodate a toddler, water capacity of the inner cavity ranges from about 8 to 9 gallons. An infant who is placed into the pool should be old enough to sit upright in the inner cavity 16. In addition, for safety reasons, the water level 17 preferably should be no more than about three (3) inches to about five (5) inches high for an infant-sized pool and about five (5) to about eight (8) inches high for a toddler sized pool.

The inner cavity 16 includes at least one sidewall 22, having an upper sidewall rim 24, and a base 26. One or more sidewalls are configured to join to the base at an interface 28. Alternatively, the base and sidewall(s) may be integral. The base may be any geometric shape, but as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 has a generally circular shape. The depth of the inner cavity depends on the water capacity of the pool and the approximate depth of the cavity where the pool is inserted. Where the pool is sized for an infant, inner cavity depth can range from about four (4) inches to about eight (8) inches. Where the pool is sized for a toddler, inner cavity depth can range from about five (5) inches to about ten (10) inches. Optionally, disposed within the base 26 is a plug 30 that facilitates drainage of water from the infant pool 10. The plug 30 is preferably of the twist and release type and does not include removable parts, which could pose a choking hazard for infants.

The base 26 and the sidewall(s) are manufactured from one or more materials and/or include surfaces which are impervious or substantially impervious to water. For example, the base and sidewall(s) may be manufactured from marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl or other vinyl or other types of plastic-based and elastomeric materials used in pool manufacture. Alternatively, or in addition, the base and sidewall may incorporate a waterproof coating. The sidewall(s) 22 and base 26 may also be constructed of separate pieces of materials which are bonded or stitched together. Alternatively, the base and sidewall(s) may be constructed of a single piece of material, forming a singular-piece inner cavity.

Formed around the upper sidewall rim 24 is a radially outwardly projecting flange 34. The flange 34 projects and extends outwardly with respect to the upper sidewall rim. This flange configuration stabilizes the infant pool after positioning into sand and prevents or retards contaminants from entering the pool. The flange 34 also incorporates a cinching mechanism 36, which is used to convert the infant pool from the pool configuration of FIGS. 1-3 into a pool-in-a-bag 40 or bag or carryall configuration as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Preferably, the flange incorporates at least a portion of a fabric-based material 41 that provides visual interest for infant play.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the cinching mechanism 36 is incorporated into the flange 34 in an over and under fashion and routed through a plurality of apertures 42 or holes or slits placed at intervals around the flange perimeter 38. Alternatively, not shown, a cinching mechanism may be placed within an overfold, channel or pocket formed in the flange material. Grommets 39 may also be positioned within each respective aperture 42 to provide tear resistance. The cinching mechanism 36 of this embodiment includes a cord 44, having two ends 46, 48 and an adjustable locking mechanism 50. As used herein, the term “cord” should be broadly construed as a length of any cord-like or strap-like material, which can be incorporated into an overfold, channel, or pocket formed in the flange material. Cords types, therefore, include adjustable straps which may be adjusted to different lengths by a user. The cord 44 is of sufficient length to travel around the flange perimeter 38 and allow ends 46, 48 to fit through an opening in the locking mechanism 50. The locking mechanism preferably includes a push-button 52 and internal mechanisms 54 (not shown) such that the cord ends 46, 48 may be held securely in place when locked. For purposes of illustration, the cord 44 and the locking mechanism 50 are shown on the upper side of the flange 34. In other embodiments, however, the cord and locking mechanism may be sheathed such that they are hidden from an infant during pool use.

FIG. 3 shows the bottom 56 of the infant pool 10, which includes undersides 58, 60 of the inner cavity 16 and the flange 34. If the infant pool 10 is formed of multiple layers, a flexible outer cover 62 made of one or more fabric materials may be incorporated onto the undersides 58, 60 for decorative purposes. The outer cover may therefore incorporate decorative elements, using various methods of fabric printing. Materials used to manufacture the outer cover include, but are not limited to, lightweight fabrics such as nylon, which are available in a variety of colors and designs, and which dry quickly. Alternatively, the infant pool 10 may be formed of a moisture barrier fabric, marine fabric, film, sheet, or other treated fabric or canvas. In alternative embodiments, the infant pool may be manufactured from one or more layers of materials used to manufacture the base and sidewall(s). Such materials include marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl or other vinyl or other types of plastic-based and elastomeric materials used in pool manufacture. In these embodiments, undersides 38 may also incorporate decorative elements, using printing methods. The flange underside 60 may also be provided with a plurality of attachment points 64 for linking the pool to other items during storage and travel.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, upon pulling of the cinching mechanism 36 by a user 66, the infant pool is converted from its pool configuration to its pool-in-a-bag 40 or carryall or bag configuration. The pool-in-a-bag 40 includes a lower section 68 that converts to the inner cavity of the carryall and an upper section 70 that converts to the outwardly projecting flange of the carryall. Through attachment at one or more bag interfaces 71, the lower portion and the upper portion 70 form a receptacle 72 having capacity to hold multiple items 74, such as toys 76, beach accessories or implements or other baby gear. For additional convenience, a hook 78 may be provided to couple with at least one of a plurality of attachment points 64 for storage and travel purposes.

While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the following claims.

Claims

1. A portable and convertible in-ground infant pool, comprising:

a flexible inner cavity having a substantially water impervious base and one or more substantially water impervious sidewalls, said sidewall(s) defining an upper sidewall rim;

a flange projecting outwardly from the upper sidewall rim; and

a cinching mechanism associated with the flange, wherein upon pulling the cinching mechanism the infant pool is converted from a pool configuration into a pool-in-a-bag carryall configuration.

2. The infant pool of claim 1, further comprising a plug incorporated into the base.

3. The infant pool of claim 1, wherein the cinching mechanism is routed through a plurality of apertures through the flange, the plurality being spaced apart along or near a perimeter of the flange.

4. The infant pool of claim 3, wherein the cinching mechanism comprises a cord and an adjustable locking mechanism.

5. The infant pool of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment point coupled to the flange.

6. The infant pool of claim 1, further comprising at least two attachment points coupled to the flange.

7. The infant pool of claim 1, further comprising a hook coupled to the flange.

8. The infant pool of claim 1, further comprising an outer covering disposed over undersides of the flexible inner cavity and the flange.

9. The infant pool of claim 1, wherein the flexible inner cavity and the flange are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl, vinyl and other types of plastic-based materials.

10. A pool-in-a-bag carryall, comprising:

a lower section that converts to a flexible inner cavity of an infant pool; and

an upper section that converts to an outwardly projecting flange of the infant pool, wherein the lower section and the upper section are attached at an interface to form a carryall receptacle.

11. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 10, further comprising a cinching mechanism coupled to the upper section.

12. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 10, further comprising plug incorporated into the lower section.

13. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of attachment points attached to the upper section.

14. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 13, further comprising a hook coupled to at least one of the plurality of attachment points.

15. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 10, wherein the lower section is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl, vinyl and other types of plastic-based materials.

16. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 10, further comprising infant toys contained within the carryall receptacle.

17. The pool-in-a-bag carryall of claim 11, wherein the cinching mechanism is routed through a plurality of apertures through the upper section.