Patent Application
20240218685
The present invention generally relates to swimming pools. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pool apparatus used as above-ground pools or stock tank pools for recreational activities.
It is known that portable swimming pools have gained popularity in recent times. The portable swimming pools are placed over the ground (“above ground”) or any other suitable surface, and come in different depth, size and shapes depending on the need. The portable swimming pools are used for a variety of recreational purposes in the backyard of a house, for example.
Several portable swimming pools have been disclosed in the past. One such example is disclosed in a U.S. Granted Pat. No. 10,344,490, entitled “Concave swimming pool panel” (“the '490 Patent”). The '490 Patent discloses a swimming pool consisting of a plurality of panels that withstands water pressure in both a concave and convex configuration to create any freeform shape or size. Each panel consists of an adhered wall of skinning of metal or plastic over expanded polystyrene or expanded urethane foam. The density of the foam is adjusted as necessary to increase the strength of the wall based on static loading of water when the swimming pool is assembled as a whole and fully filled with water.
Another example is disclosed in a U.S. Granted Pat. No. 5,192,162, entitled “Pool apparatus and method of making” (“the '162 Patent”). The '162 Patent discloses an apparatus and method is disclosed for an improved swimming pool comprising a base forming the bottom of the pool. A plurality of upright supports is disposed about the base with a side wall sheet being affixed to the plurality of upright supports. The side wall sheet has an inner surface and an outer surface. An inner coating is disposed on the inner surface and is disposed on the base for affixing the side wall sheet to the base and for forming an interior surface for the pool. An outer coating is disposed on the outer surface for affixing the side wall sheet to the plurality of upright supports.
Yet another example is disclosed in a U.S. Granted Pat. No. 7,412,802, entitled “Swimming pool formed of interconnecting panels with supporting buttresses” (“the '802 Patent”). The '802 Patent discloses a wall and buttress construction for swimming pools in which deck support extensions can be secured to the top of the buttresses. The wall includes a plurality of panels having end flanges at the sides of the panels, and a double slotted peg is provided. One of the slots is shorter to receive a wedge when a peg is placed through two abutting panel end flanges, and the other slot being longer to accommodate a wedge when the peg is being used to join a brace as well as two abutting end flanges. The end flanges have elongated openings therethrough for receiving the pegs that are oriented diagonally, rather than either vertically or horizontally. The elongated openings, pegs and wedges are easily visible/accessible for inserting pegs as a result of the diagonal orientation.
Still, there is a need in the art to provide an improved portable swimming pool.
It is one of the main objects of the present invention to provide a pool apparatus and that avoids the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hybrid pool apparatus having a galvanized steel and a Polyethylene tank acting as a liner.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pool apparatus that helps to keep the cool water cool and warm water hot.
In order to overcome the limitations here stated, the present invention provides a pool apparatus for a variety of recreational purposes. In one aspect, the pool apparatus includes a first tank having a first base, and a tapered section extending away from the first base. The tapered section includes holes. The pool apparatus includes a second tank having a second base and a cylindrical section extending from the second base. The first tank positions in the second tank such that the first base aligns the said second base. The cylindrical section includes pipe receiving sections. The pool apparatus includes pipes connecting the holes and are drawn through the pipe receiving sections. The pipes circulate water for filtration purposes in a closed loop system into the first tank. The second tank presents an air gap with the first tank and allows the first tank to keep the cool water cool and warm water hot.
In another aspect, the pool apparatus includes a first tank/inner tank/first tub and a second tank/outer tank/second tub. The first tank is made of plastic material and the second tank is made up of metal. The first tank has a first base and a tapered section extending from the first base. Further, the second tank has a second base and a cylindrical section extending from the second base. The tapered section has first holes and second holes. At the outer side, the tapered section has first connecting pipes extending from the first holes and connecting to a first T-shaped pipe having a first extender pipe. Further, the tapered section has second connecting pipes extending from the second holes and connecting to a second T-shaped pipe having a second extender pipe. The cylindrical section includes a first pipe receiving section and a second pipe receiving section. The first tank inserts within the second tank such that the first extender pipe and the second extender pipe draw through the first pipe receiving section and the second pipe receiving section, respectively. The first extender pipe and the second extender pipe help to circulate water in a closed loop system for filtration purposes.
In yet another aspect, the pool apparatus has a cover at the top of the first tank and the second tank. The cover prevents dust and debris from entering the first tank and the second tank when they are not in use.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the pool apparatus provides a hybrid stock tank for use in a variety of recreational activities.
In one advantageous feature of the present invention, the first tank has a tapered section that provides a reclined shape for a premium lounging experience for the users sitting inside the pool apparatus. Further, the first tank and the second tank form a double-wall tank design with a gap (air gap) in between when the first tank sits within the second tank. The gap acts as an insulation layer between the first tank and the second tank. Optionally, the gap receives an insulation member to keep the cool water cool and warm water hot in the first tank. Here, the second tank absorbs external heat or cold temperature thereby keeping the first tank insulated to a large extent from the outside temperature.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the pool apparatus is easier to maintain and is sturdy. The users can easily step in and out of the pool apparatus, sit on the ledge/curved portion and put their feet in, and sit in the pool all day keeping cool.
In another advantageous feature of the present invention, the pool apparatus includes protection against rust since the inner tank made up of Polyethylene withstands corrosion and deterioration from pool chemicals and environmental elements.
Features and advantages of the invention hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying FIGUREs. As will be realized, the invention disclosed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature.
With the above and other related objects in view, the invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The following detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of exemplary embodiments in which the presently disclosed invention may be practiced. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for providing a thorough understanding of the presently disclosed pool apparatus. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in functional or conceptual diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the presently disclosed pool apparatus.
In the present specification, an embodiment showing a singular component should not be considered limiting. Rather, the invention preferably encompasses other embodiments including a plurality of the same component, and vice-versa, unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. Moreover, the applicant does not intend for any term in the specification to be ascribed an uncommon or special meaning unless explicitly set forth as such. Further, the present invention encompasses present and future known equivalents to the known components referred to herein by way of illustration.
Although the present invention provides a description of a pool apparatus, it is to be further understood that numerous changes may arise in the details of the embodiments of the pool apparatus. It is contemplated that all such changes and additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of this disclosure.
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.
The present invention discloses a pool apparatus. The pool apparatus includes a first tank having a first base, and a tapered section extending away from the first base. The tapered section includes holes. The pool apparatus includes a second tank having a second base and a cylindrical section extending from the second base. The first tank positions in the second tank such that the first base aligns the said second base. The cylindrical section includes pipe receiving sections. The pool apparatus includes pipes connecting the holes and are drawn through the pipe receiving sections. The pipes circulate water for filtration purposes in a closed loop system into the first tank. The second tank presents an air gap with the first tank and allows the first tank to keep the cool water cool and warm water hot. Various features and embodiments of a pool apparatus are explained in conjunction with the description of FIGURES (
Second tank 22 indicates an outer tank or outer liner. Second tank 22 is made of hard plastic, metal or any other suitable material. It is preferable to provide second tank 22 in metal to prevent water 18 getting hot. In one example, second tank 22 is made of galvanized steel. Pool apparatus 12 includes a first pipe 24 and a second pipe 26. First pipe 24 and second pipe 26 draw through second tank 22 and help to circulate water in first tank 20. In one example, first pipe 24 acts as an inlet line and second pipe 26 acts as an outlet line. Here, first pipe 24 draws water into a pump (not shown) and then into a filter (not shown). Further, the water returns through the second pipe 26 that returns the filtered water.
As can be seen from at least
At the outside, first tank 20 includes first connecting pipes 46. First connecting pipes 46 extend from each of first gaskets 42 and connect to a first T-shaped pipe 48. First T-shaped pipe 48 receives first connecting pipes 46 from each side. Further, first T-shaped pipe 48 includes a first extender pipe 50. First extender pipe 50 extends substantially perpendicular from the tip of first T-shaped pipe 48 and/or tapered section 32 from the tip of first T-shaped pipe 48, as can be seen from
Further, first tank 20 includes second connecting pipes 52. Second connecting pipes 52 extend from each of second gaskets 44 and connect to a second T-shaped pipe 54. Second T-shaped pipe 54 receives second connecting pipes 52 from each side. Further, second T-shaped pipe 54 includes a second extender pipe 56. Second extender pipe 56 extends substantially perpendicular from the tip of second T-shaped pipe 54 and/or tapered section 32.
Now referring to
In order to construct pool apparatus 12, first tank 20 is aligned to position within second tank 22, as shown in
In use, first pipe 24 is connected to a pump (not shown) to drain water 18 from first tank 20. Further, second pipe 26 is connected to a filter (not shown) that receives filtered water that was supplied from the pump. The entire system is a closed loop to filter the water. When there is a heater (not shown) installed, then the heater is connected within the closed loop to heat the existing water. Here, water is supplied by a garden hose to fill pool apparatus 12 in the closed system. Optionally, first pipe 24 is connected to a hot water source (not shown) and second pipe 26 is connected to a cold water source (not shown) depending on the need.
The presently disclosed pool apparatus presents a unique T-shaped structure combining two holes or ports to circulate the water for filtration purposes while also providing a provision at the outer tank to connect the T-shaped structure without hindering the structural integrity of any of the inner tank or outer tank. Further, the pool apparatus provides a hybrid pool having a galvanized steel at the outside and a Polyethylene (poly) tank at the inside. The pool apparatus can come with an electric heater unit and present an ingenious insulated pool. The presently disclosed pool apparatus replaces the need for an epoxy liner or a separate water heater system and provides an excellent option for the users when they want to heat it more regularly. The first tank made up of plastic keeps the cool water cool and warm water hot for a longer period of time. Further, the tapered section of the first tank i.e., inner tank provides a reclined shape for a lounging experience to the users inside the pool apparatus. Further, the pool apparatus includes a wider brim to allow the users to sit on or to comfortably place their arms or beverages.
A person skilled in the art appreciates that the pool apparatus may come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on the need and comfort of the user. Further, many changes in the design and placement of components may take place without deviating from the scope of the presently disclosed pool apparatus.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of some embodiments, specific components, devices, methods, in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that these specific details need not be employed, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention.
In the development of any actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints. Such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but may nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill. Hence as various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
The foregoing description of embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the novel principles and invention disclosed herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the innovative faculty. It is contemplated that additional embodiments are within the spirit and true scope of the disclosed invention.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/436,557, filed Dec. 31, 2022; all of which is incorporated herein in its entirety and referenced hereto.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63436557 | Dec 2022 | US |
