Patent Application
20250041740
The present invention pertains to the field of recreational pool equipment, and more specifically, to an inflatable pool slide with a unique, detachable stepping pad that offers improved portability, easy storage, and flexible placement options for both residential and public swimming pools, as well as lakes and rivers.
Traditionally, pool slides are bulky, rigid structures that are permanently installed and require a significant amount of surface area for mounting. The typical pool slide installation demands a solid, flat surface, usually concrete or tile, spanning a distance of around 2 meters from the edge of the pool. This standard requirement often presents a challenge for pool owners with limited space or irregularly shaped pool areas, rendering the installation of a pool slide infeasible.
Another disadvantage of conventional pool slides is their relative immovability once installed. If a pool owner wishes to repurpose or renovate their pool area, moving the slide can be a complex, labor-intensive task that often requires professional assistance. Additionally, these traditional slides are prone to wear and tear due to continuous exposure to harsh weather conditions, resulting in potential safety hazards over time.
Furthermore, storage of traditional pool slides during the off-season can be cumbersome due to their size and rigidity. Many pool owners may not have the luxury of spacious storage facilities to accommodate such equipment. Besides, these conventional pool slides are prone to the growth of mould due to the continuous exposure to water and humidity, posing potential health risks to users and demanding regular, time-consuming maintenance.
Inflatable pool slides have been developed as an alternative to address some of these concerns. They offer the advantage of being easy to deflate and store when not in use, and their lighter weight facilitates easier handling. However, these inflatable slides also come with their own set of problems. They are often made from thin material that can be easily punctured, and they often require an external water sprinkler system for a proper sliding experience.
Furthermore, while inflatable pool slides are generally more portable than their rigid counterparts, the anchoring mechanisms used to secure these slides often still require a substantial amount of surface area, making them unsuitable for smaller or irregularly shaped pool spaces.
The prior art patent CA2555655A1 discloses an inflatable and expandable slide and pool construction, but this invention, while innovative, does not address the need for a smaller surface area for anchoring the slide. Despite having a detachable front section, the invention lacks a weighted stepping pad, thus failing to minimize the surface area requirement.
Consequently, there is a clear need for a pool slide that requires less mounting space, provides for easy storage and transport, and is robust and safe to use. The present invention seeks to address these needs and to provide further related advantages.
It is within this context that the present invention is provided.
The present invention is directed towards a unique design for an inflatable pool slide. It includes a detachable stepping pad that can be filled with water to provide weight and stability, thereby reducing the surface area required for mounting the slide to the poolside, effectively addressing one of the major limitations in prior art.
The innovative two-part design consists of the main slide and a detachable stepping pad, both of which can be inflated with air using an included 2-in-1 500 w electric pump, which also facilitates deflation for easy storage. The connection between the slide and stepping pad is facilitated by stainless steel D-rings, designed to withstand long-term exposure to water and sun.
In contrast with many previous designs, this invention does not necessitate the presence of a water sprinkler. The stepping pad, once filled with water, not only provides a robust base to secure the slide, thereby enhancing user comfort and safety.
The inventive pool slide is made of heavy-duty PVC Tarpaulin material, employing Weld craft, that ensures its durability and safety. It also features four climbing handles for easy access, and a safety falling wall to prevent accidents. These features, along with a reinforced base, provide additional stability and safety to the users.
The slide is designed to fit in any pool environment. The unique design requires only 80 cm between the pool edge and the end of the slide for mounting, making it suitable for a wide variety of pool sizes and shapes, including smaller pools or pools with irregular configurations.
Further, the invention can be used completely in the water or mounted on concrete/tile surfaces, offering great flexibility in use. Two versions of the slide, large and small, provide options for usage in different environments, including pools, lakes, and rivers.
In summary, the present invention provides an inflatable pool slide that is easy to move, store, and install. It is designed to fit on any pool with a minimal required space of only 80 cm from the edge of the pool. Its unique design also helps avoid mould growth, ensuring the longevity and hygiene of the slide.
Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Common reference numerals are used throughout the figures and the detailed description to indicate like elements. One skilled in the art will readily recognize that the above figures are examples and that other architectures, modes of operation, orders of operation, and elements/functions can be provided and implemented without departing from the characteristics and features of the invention, as set forth in the claims.
The following is a detailed description of exemplary embodiments to illustrate the principles of the invention. The embodiments are provided to illustrate aspects of the invention, but the invention is not limited to any embodiment. The scope of the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalent; it is limited only by the claims.
Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the invention is not unnecessarily obscured.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The terms “first,” “second,” and the like are used herein to describe various features or elements, but these features or elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one feature or element from another feature or element. Thus, a first feature or element discussed below could be termed a second feature or element, and similarly, a second feature or element discussed below could be termed a first feature or element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.
The present invention relates generally to pool slides, and more specifically to an inflatable pool slide with a unique design incorporating a detachable stepping pad filled with water to provide stability and reduce the necessary surface area for mounting.
The invention provides a solution to the common problems associated with traditional pool slides. In the preferred embodiment, the inflatable pool slide consists of two parts: a slide body and a stepping pad, both of which are inflatable and connect to each other via stainless steel D-rings.
The slide body and stepping pad can be inflated and deflated using a provided 2-in-1 500 w electric pump. This pump's dual functionality allows the slide to be inflated for use and deflated for compact storage, providing an efficient solution for space and storage issues commonly associated with pool slides.
The stepping pad of the pool slide is designed to be filled with water once inflated. The water-filled stepping pad provides a weighted base, allowing the slide to be securely anchored to the pool edge while requiring less surface area for mounting compared to conventional pool slides.
Made from a heavy-duty PVC Tarpaulin material employing Weld craft, the slide is durable and robust, designed to resist punctures and withstand prolonged exposure to water and sunlight. This material also contributes to its mould resistance, enhancing the longevity and hygiene of the slide.
In terms of safety, the slide body includes a reinforced base, providing additional stability and reducing the likelihood of tipping during use. Further, the slide body features a safety falling wall designed to prevent users from falling off the slide. Four climbing handles attached to the slide body allow users to climb onto the slide with ease, increasing usability and safety.
The slide body is designed to fit into any pool environment. Specifically, it only requires 80 cm between the pool and the end of the slide for mounting, providing versatility for various pool sizes and configurations. Unlike many pool slides on the market, this inventive pool slide can be placed completely in the water or partially on concrete/tile surfaces, offering a wide range of installation options.
Referring now to
In order to save material and simplify inflation, there is a hollow area under the central portion of the slide body (210). This design not only reduces the overall volume of the slide body (210) when inflated but also saves time during the inflation and deflation processes.
The rear of the slide body (210) also has openings, forming a solid support framework (250) for the slide while reducing its overall volume when inflated. This support framework (250) provides stability and rigidity to the slide body (210), allowing it to maintain its shape during use.
Similarly to the first embodiment, the slide body (210) features two safety rails (230) on either side, providing added safety for users during slide use.
Two climbing handles (240) are visible at the very top of the slide, and more are situated along the rear (not visible in this figure). The inflatable stepping pad (220) in this embodiment is also wider than the slide body (210), curving around the sides of the slide from the back, just like the first embodiment. This feature allows the stepping pad (220), when filled with water, to provide a stable, weighted base for the slide (200).
It should be appreciated that the present invention provides an inflatable pool slide that is easy to move, easy to store, and designed to fit any pool. It uniquely minimizes the space required from the pool edge to only 80 cm and helps avoid mould growth, ensuring a hygienic, safe, and fun environment for its users.
In some embodiments of the present invention, the slide body (110, 210) and the stepping pad (120, 230) may further include a Velcro attachment mechanism for additional security. As illustrated in
In another embodiment of the present invention, the slide body (110, 210) and the stepping pad (120, 230) can be equipped with a security valve (not shown in the figures) designed to cope with over-inflation. The security valve is designed to automatically release air when the pressure inside the slide body (110, 210) or the stepping pad (120, 230) exceeds a certain limit, thus preventing damage from over-inflation. The incorporation of a security valve provides a safeguard against potential ruptures and improves the overall safety and longevity of the slide.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The disclosed embodiments are illustrative, not restrictive. While specific configurations of the inflatable slide and stepping pad have been described in a specific manner referring to the illustrated embodiments, it is understood that the present invention can be applied to a wide variety of solutions which fit within the scope and spirit of the claims. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention.
It is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Reference herein to details of the illustrated embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, which themselves recite those features regarded as essential to the invention.
