WATER POOL, SLIDE AND SPRINKLER

Abstract

According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide an aquatic-based toy comprising a pool including an interior portion and an exterior wall, the exterior wall including at least one attachment site, a sprinkler configured to be removably coupled to the at least one attachment site of the exterior wall, the sprinkler including at least one spray opening configured to spray a stream of water in a selected direction, and a slide configured to be removeably positioned over the exterior wall and to extend into the interior portion of the pool.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Invention

At least one example in accordance with the present invention relates generally to aquatic pools, sprinklers and slides.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Aquatic-based toys, such as wading pools, sprinklers and slides are constructed in a variety of common configurations. For example, wading pools may be solid plastic or inflatable, and are available in a wide variety of sizes. Typical stationary sprinklers may include a base with multiple spray openings that spray water in a desired pattern, oscillating sprinklers may include a spray tube with multiple spray openings that spray water in a rectangular pattern, and rotary sprinklers may include watering arms with openings that spray water as they rotate. Typical water slides are solid plastic or inflatable, and may be attached to a water hose for the purpose of dampening the slide and slickening the surface of the slide.

Pools, sprinklers and slides are often used as amusement devices for children. For example, children may enjoy wading in a small pool, running through water spraying out of a sprinkler, or sliding down a slide into water.

SUMMARY

Aspects in accord with the present invention are directed to an aquatic-based toy comprising a pool including an interior portion and an exterior wall, the exterior wall including at least one attachment site, a sprinkler configured to be removably coupled to the at least one attachment site of the exterior wall, the sprinkler including at least one spray opening configured to spray a stream of water in a selected direction, and a slide configured to be removeably positioned over the exterior wall and to extend into the interior portion of the pool.

According to one embodiment, the exterior wall includes a plurality of attachment sites. In one embodiment, the at least one attachment site includes a hook-and-loop fastener.

According to one embodiment, the sprinkler is configured to be removably coupled to a first attachment site and the slide is configured to be removeably positioned over a second attachment site. In another embodiment, the sprinkler is further configured to be coupled to a hose and to receive water from an external water source. In one embodiment, the sprinkler is further configured to receive water stored in the interior portion of the pool. In another embodiment, the sprinkler is one of a stationary, oscillating, and rotary sprinkler.

According to one embodiment, the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a direction towards at least one of the interior portion of the pool, the exterior wall of the pool, or an area outside of the pool. In one embodiment, the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a desired pattern.

According to one embodiment, the sprinkler is shaped as one of a whale, a crab, a star, and an elephant.

According to another embodiment, the slide includes at least one step configured to allow a user to climb over the exterior wall. In one embodiment, the slide is configured to fit snugly onto the exterior wall to secure the slide in place.

Another aspect in accord with the present invention is directed to an aquatic-based toy comprising a pool including an interior portion and an exterior wall, a sprinkler including at least one spray opening configured to spray a stream of water in a selected direction, a slide configured to extend into the interior portion of the pool, and means for configuring the pool, the sprinkler and the slide for joint use.

According to one embodiment, the aquatic-based toy further comprises means for configuring the pool, the sprinkler and the slide for independent use.

According to one embodiment, the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a direction towards at least one of the interior portion of the pool, the exterior wall of the pool, or an area outside of the pool. In another embodiment, the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a desired pattern.

According to one embodiment, the slide includes at least one step configured to allow a user to climb to a top portion of the slide. In another embodiment, the sprinkler is further configured to receive water from one of an external water source and the interior portion of the pool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various FIGs. is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an image of a pool in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an image of a pool and sprinkler in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2C is an image of a pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2D is an image of a sprinkler in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2E is an image of a sprinkler, slide and plastic sheet in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A-4D depict a pool, a sprinkler, a slide and various combinations thereof in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A-6D depict a pool, a sprinkler, a slide and various combinations thereof in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 depicts a pool, sprinkler and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. This disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

As described above, sprinklers, pools and slides are often used by children as toys. As described herein, a combination sprinkler, pool, and slide toy having ornamentation that may be visually appealing to children is provided.

FIG. 1 depicts a toy 100 including a sprinkler 102, a pool 104 and a slide 106 according to one embodiment of the invention. The sprinkler 102 is attached to the pool 104, and may spray water into the pool 104, onto the slide 106, or both. The slide 106 may be attached to the pool 104 such that a child may slide down the slide 106 and land in the pool 104. The sprinkler 102 may be positioned to spray water onto the slide 106, helping to create a slippery surface for a child to slide down.

According to one embodiment, the sprinkler 102 is configured to be coupled to a hose 108 for supplying water to the sprinkler in a conventional manner. The hose 108 may be a garden hose. Water travels into and through the sprinkler 102 from the hose 108, and sprays out one or more holes in the top surface of the sprinkler 102. In one embodiment, the sprinkler 102 includes multiple spray openings that spray water in a desired pattern. In another embodiment, the sprinkler 102 is an oscillating sprinkle that has a spray tube with multiple spray openings that spray water in a selected pattern. In a further embodiment, the sprinkler 102 is a rotary sprinkler having watering arms with openings that spray water as they rotate. According to another embodiment, the sprinkler is configured to draw water from the pool for spraying.

According to one feature, the sprinkler 102, pool 104 and slide 106 are detachable and can be used as individual stand-alone units, or in any selected combination. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, the pool 104 may be used as a stand-alone unit. The pool 104 has a plastic bottom (not shown) and a wall 110. According to one embodiment, the bottom of the pool is inflatable. The pool wall 110 may include one or more inflatable tubes stacked on top of each other.

FIG. 2B depicts the pool 104 and the sprinkler 102, according to an embodiment of the invention. The sprinkler 102 is attached to the pool 104. In one example, the sprinkler 102 is attached to the pool 104 at an attachment site with hook-and-loop fasteners. In other examples, the sprinkler 102 is attached to the pool 104 with other suitable attachment mechanisms or materials. According to one feature, the sprinkler 102 may be attachable to the pool 104 at various locations (i.e. at various attachment sites) on the pool wall. For example, if the pool is rectangular as shown in FIG. 2B, the sprinkler 102 may be attachable to any of the four corners of the pool 104, or several locations along the straight sides of the pool 104. To allow for multiple attachment locations, the pool 104 may include multiple attachment means.

According to another feature, the sprinkler 102 may be attached to the pool 104 such that it faces a selected direction. For example, the sprinkler 102 may face the pool 104 with its spray directed towards the middle of the pool 104. In another example, the spray may be directed toward a side of the pool. In a further example, the sprinkler 102 may face away from the pool 104, such that its spray is directed outside the pool 104.

FIG. 2C depicts the pool 104 and the slide 106 according to an embodiment of the invention. The slide 106 is placed over the side of the pool 104, such that when a child slides down the slide, the child will land in the pool 104. In one embodiment, the slide 106 is placed over the edge of the pool 104, but is not attached to the pool 104. In another embodiment, the slide 106 is attached to the pool at an attachment site with hook-and-loop fasteners or other attachment material or mechanism. The slide 106 may include one of more steps on the back side (outside the pool 104), to allow a child to easily climb to the top of the slide 106. It may also include handles at the top of the slide 106. The handles may be plastic handles attached to a surface at the top of the slide, and they may be a hard plastic. In another embodiment, the handles may be loop handles constructed of soft plastic or fabric.

According to one feature, the bottom side of the slide 106 may be configured to have an opening that is approximately the same size as the side of the pool 104, such that the slide 106 may be fitted snugly over the side of the pool 104. According to one embodiment, the slide 106 is inflatable, and may be further inflated after being positioned over the side of the pool 104 to secure it in place. In another embodiment, the pool 104 is inflatable, and may be further inflated after the slide 106 is positioned over the side of the pool 104 to secure the slide 106 in place.

FIG. 2D depicts the sprinkler 102 according to an embodiment of the invention. The hose 108 may be attached to the sprinkler 102 in conventional fashion. As shown in FIG. 2D, the sprinkler 102 may be used as a stand-alone unit, without the pool 104 or the slide 106.

FIG. 2E depicts the sprinkler 102, the slide 106 and a plastic sheet 112 according to another embodiment of the invention. The extended plastic sheet 112 is placed at the foot of the slide 106, and may be attached to the slide 106. In one embodiment, the plastic sheet 112 extends partly under the slide 106. The plastic sheet 112 is placed such that a child can slide along it after sliding down the slide 106. The sprinkler 102 may be positioned to spray water on the slide 106 to increase the slipperiness of the slide surface. The sprinkler 102 may be positioned to spray water on the plastic sheet 112 to increase the slipperiness of the surface of the plastic sheet.

According to one embodiment, the sprinkler 102 may be attached to the slide 106 at an attachment site. In one example, the sprinkler 102 is attached to the slide 106 with hook-and-loop fasteners. In other examples, the sprinkler 102 is attached to the slide 106 with other suitable attachment mechanisms or materials. The slide 106 may include one or more attachment means. The sprinkler 102 may be attached to the slide 106 such that it faces any selected direction. For example, the sprinkler 102 may face the slide 106, with its spray directed onto the slide. In another example, the spray may be directed onto the plastic sheet 112. In a further example, the sprinkler 102 may face away from the slide 106 and the plastic sheet 112, such that its spray is directed away from the slide 106 and the plastic sheet 112.

The sprinkler 102 depicted in FIGS. 1, 2B, 2D and 2E is designed to look like a whale. According to other embodiments, the sprinkler may be any other selected design. For example, the sprinkler may be designed to look like a crab, a star, an elephant, a fish, a sea horse, an octopus or a hippopotamus.

FIG. 3 depicts another design of a sprinkler 202, a pool 204 and a slide 206 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pool 204 is round, and the sprinkler 202 is attached to the wall 210 of the pool. The sprinkler 202 is designed to look like a crab, with the water spraying out of its mouth. According to other embodiments, the sprinkler 202 may be configured such that the water sprays out another selected part of the crab. The sprinkler 202 may be attached such that the spray is directed in any selected direction, such as toward the center of the pool 204, toward the slide 206, toward the wall of the pool 204, or outside the pool 204. The slide 206 is positioned over the wall 210 of the pool 204, such that a child can slide down the slide 206 into the pool 204.

FIGS. 4A-4D depict various combinations of the pool 204, sprinkler 202 and the slide 206 shown in FIG. 3, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4A depicts the pool 204 as a stand-alone unit. FIG. 4B depicts the pool 204 and the sprinkler 202 used together, with the sprinkler 202 spraying water toward the center of the pool 204. FIG. 4C depicts the pool 204 and the slide 206, with the slide positioned over the wall 210 of the pool 204, such that a child can slide down the slide 206 and into the pool 204. FIG. 4D depicts the sprinkler 202, used as a stand-alone unit.

FIG. 5 depicts another design of a sprinkler 302, pool 304 and slide 306 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pool 304 is round, and the sprinkler 302 is attached to the wall 210 of the pool. The sprinkler 302 is designed to look like a star having a smiley face, with the water spraying out of its mouth. According to other embodiments, the sprinkler 302 may be configured such that the water sprays out another selected part of the star. The sprinkler 302 may be attached to the pool 304 such that its spray is directed in any selected direction, such as toward the center of the pool 304, toward the slide 306, toward the wall of the pool 304, or outside the pool 304. The slide 306 is positioned over the wall 210 of the pool 304, such that a child can slide down the slide 306 into the pool 304.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict various combinations of the pool 304, sprinkler 302 and slide 306 shown in FIG. 5, according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 6A depicts the pool 304 as a stand-alone unit. FIG. 6B depicts the pool 304 and the sprinkler 302 used together, with the sprinkler 302 spraying water toward the center of the pool 304. FIG. 6C depicts the pool 304 and the slide 306, with the slide positioned over the wall 210 of the pool 304, such that a child can slide down the slide 306 and into the pool 304. FIG. 6D depicts the sprinkler 302 as a stand-alone unit.

FIG. 7 depicts a pool 404, sprinkler 402 and slide 406 according to an embodiment of the invention. The pool 404 is rectangular and has an inflatable bottom 418. According to one feature, the bottom 418 of the pool 404 is soft. The wall 410 of the pool may have a dual-layered print resulting in a 3-dimensional visual effect. According to one feature, the designs on the wall 410 are printed on an interior surface of the wall 410.

The sprinkler 402 is attached to the wall 410 of the pool 404. The sprinkler 402 includes a nozzle 414 for attaching a hose to the sprinkler 402. The sprinkler 402 is designed to look like an elephant with the water spraying out of its trunk. According to other embodiments, the sprinkler 402 may be configured such that the water sprays out other selected parts of the elephant. The sprinkler 402 may be attached to the pool 404 such that its spray is directed in any selected direction, such as toward the center of the pool 404, toward the slide 406, toward the wall of the pool 404, or outside the pool 404. The sprinkler 402 of FIG. 7 is attached to the back left-hand corner of the pool at a first hook-and-loop attachment site. The pool 404 includes a second hook-and-loop attachment site 412 in the front left-hand corner. According to one feature, the sprinkler may be detached from its current location and attached to the second hook-and-loop attachment site 412.

The slide 406 is positioned over the wall 410 of the pool 404, such that a child can slide down the slide 406 into the pool 404. The slide 406 includes a step 422. The step 422 may allow a child to easily climb to the top of the slide 406. The slide 406 also include at least one safety handle 420. A child may grasp the handle 420 to prevent herself from slipping.

Having thus described at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, various alternations, modifications and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting. The disclosure's limit is defined only in the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. An aquatic-based toy comprising: a pool including an interior portion and an exterior wall, the exterior wall including at least one attachment site;a sprinkler configured to be removably coupled to the at least one attachment site of the exterior wall, the sprinkler including at least one spray opening configured to spray a stream of water in a selected direction; anda slide configured to be removeably positioned over the exterior wall and to extend into the interior portion of the pool.

2. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the exterior wall includes a plurality of attachment sites.

3. The aquatic-based toy of claim 2, wherein the sprinkler is configured to be removably coupled to a first attachment site and the slide is configured to be removeably positioned over a second attachment site.

4. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one attachment site includes a hook-and-loop fastener.

5. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler is further configured to be coupled to a hose and to receive water from an external water source.

6. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler is further configured to receive water stored in the interior portion of the pool.

7. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler is one of a stationary, oscillating, and rotary sprinkler.

8. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a direction towards at least one of the interior portion of the pool, the exterior wall of the pool, or an area outside of the pool.

11. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a desired pattern.

12. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the sprinkler is shaped as one of a whale, a crab, a star, and an elephant.

13. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the slide includes at least one step configured to allow a user to climb over the exterior wall.

14. The aquatic-based toy of claim 1, wherein the slide is configured to fit snugly onto the exterior wall to secure the slide in place.

15. An aquatic-based toy comprising: a pool including an interior portion and an exterior wall;a sprinkler including at least one spray opening configured to spray a stream of water in a selected direction;a slide configured to extend into the interior portion of the pool; andmeans for configuring the pool, the sprinkler and the slide for joint use.

16. The aquatic-based toy of claim 15, further comprising means for configuring the pool, the sprinkler and the slide for independent use.

17. The aquatic-based toy of claim 16, wherein the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a direction towards at least one of the interior portion of the pool, the exterior wall of the pool, or an area outside of the pool.

18. The aquatic-based toy of claim 16, wherein the at least one spray opening is configured to spray the stream of water in a desired pattern.

19. The aquatic-based toy of claim 16, wherein the slide includes at least one step configured to allow a user to climb to a top portion of the slide.

20. The aquatic-based toy of claim 16, wherein the sprinkler is further configured to receive water from one of an external water source and the interior portion of the pool.