Water Spraying Splash Pool

Information

  • Patent Application
  • 20250163710
  • Publication Number
    20250163710
  • Date Filed
    November 21, 2023
    a year ago
  • Date Published
    May 22, 2025
    4 months ago
Abstract
The present invention is directed toward a portable and collapsible pet and/or children's swimming pool with a water spray feature. Also referred to as a kiddie pool, the pool includes a water inflated channel with apertures that allow water to be expelled up vertically and into the pool basin. Also featured is a water inlet and drainage plug outlet for simplifying ease of use.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This present invention pertains to pools and more specifically to a portable, water inflated, play swimming pool for children or pets with a water spray feature for entertainment.


BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Children's swimming pools, also referred to as kiddie pools, are known to provide entertainment for children of young ages. They are oftentimes useful to acclimate children to water and teach them how to swim as they are typically smaller and much shallower than in-ground, above ground, or recreational pools, providing a safe environment for young children. Kiddie pools provide a perfect outdoor play area for children as they can get relief from warmer weather, splash around, play with toys, and enjoy the company of their siblings, friends, parents, or caregivers.


For dogs, pet pools provide an environment for cooling down in the hot summer months, helping them to release stress and anxiety, and are designed for easy cleaning and maintenance. Playing in water also helps to benefit dogs as it can be mentally stimulating while helping to alleviate boredom and inactivity. Most dogs enjoy the freedom of being outdoors and pet pools allow them to stay active and get exercise while running around playing in and out of the water.


Kiddie pools can come in a variety of sizes and are narrowly defined as a small swimming pool designed for children. These pools can either be inflatable or made from a more solid plastic material that does not fold up or become compact creating a storage space concern. Another issue with most kiddie and pet pools is that they do not always have an easy way to drain the water after use. This makes it very difficult for someone who is in poor health or unfit to lift the pool and pour the water out from the top. One additional disadvantage for current kiddie and pet pools is that they lack an entertainment feature as most often they are simply a pool filled with water.


What is needed is a kiddie and pet pool that is portable, easily opened and compacted, has an easy to drain outlet, and comprises a water spray feature for entertainment.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided one embodiment, a water spray pool for children and/or pets that has a water spray feature for enjoyment. The water spray pool requires a connection to a common water hose and is designed to provide fun and relief during hot or warm weather days. The water spray pool has ease of use elements including an easy drainage outlet, a simple open and close design, and a portable, compact profile.


The primary object of the invention is to provide an enjoyable environment for children and/or pets combining elements of a kiddie pool with a waterpark feature using water that is sprayed in a vertical direction over a kiddie pool.


Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein:



FIG. 1 is an illustration of the front view of a water spray pool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 2 is an illustration of the perspective view of a water spray pool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;



FIG. 3 is a top view of a water spray pool in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and



FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the water spray pool spraying water.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims.


Referring to FIG. 1 is a water spray pool 100 comprising of a plurality of support panels 110 which forms a pool basin in conjunction with the pool floor 150. There may be any number of support panels 110, in any shape or size, that in combination form the outer perimeter of the water spray pool 100 and may or may not be inflated with air or water. When the basin of the water spray pool 100 is filled with water, the water spray pool 100 may retain its shape from the water pressure on the interior of the support panels 110. The support panels 110 may be one continuous form or a series of interlocking panes of any size or shape, and may or may not be comprised of any number of panes and comprised of high-density fiberboard (HDF) or any other solid material, such as spring steel.


The support panels' 110 outer membrane may be rigid and may or may not be made from poly-vinyl chloride (PVC) or any other vinyl or plastic material and may be UV-resistant. The water spray pool 100 may be any geometric or polygonal shape or size. The panels 110 may be connected to a membrane for holding water that forms the pool basin. The membrane may be made of any material, such as a plastic or a fabric with a PVC coating. The membrane may be a single piece with the pool floor 150 or may be a separate piece from the pool floor 150. The water inflated channel 140 and water spray support channel 180 may be disposed on an external surface of the membrane. In other embodiments the water inflated channel 140 and the water spray support channel 180 are disposed within a void in the membrane and the spray apertures 130 are disposed on the membrane itself. The membrane forming the pool basin and pool floor 150 may be any thickness and may be a single layer of material or may be multiple layers of different materials.


In the preferred embodiment each support panel 110 is a fabric material with a PVC coating. In the preferred embodiment the fabric material of each support panel 110 is stretched over a spring steel frame. The spring steel frame may be in any number of pieces. The spring steel frame may be a single rod of material in a predetermined shape such that each panel 110 is hollow. In other embodiments there may be sheets of material disposed in the internal space formed by the spring steel. In another embodiment, the support panels 110 are comprised of a plurality of any number of panes made of any solid material and covered in a membrane that may be made of PVC or any other vinyl or plastic material.


The water spray pool 100 is designed to be collapsible and foldable when not in use with water. The panel junction 170 at the intersection of any adjacent support panels 110 is designed to allow the outer membrane to fold at the panel junction 170 of the support panels 110 and when folded the support panels 110 may fold upon another.


Referring to FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the water spray pool 100. In this embodiment, a water inflated channel 140 made from PVC or another vinyl or plastic material is attached along the highest inner side of the support panels 110 by heat bond, glue, sewn fabric or another method of bonding. The means for coupling a water source to the water inflated channel 140 is a water inlet 120. The water inlet 120 may be any shape or size and may be designed to attach to a common garden hose fitting size of 4″ or any other fitting size. The water inlet 120 may also have a separate, adjustable, coupled fitting that is used to close, open, or regulate water pressure. If additional pressure is necessary, a high-pressure pump may be necessary to increase the flow of water into the water inflated channel 140. An element of constriction may also be present within the structure of the water inflated channel 140 to increase pressure where necessary. The water inlet 120 may be positioned at any location on the water spray pool 100. For instance, the water inlet 120 may be positioned on a top portion of the water spray pool 100, on a panel 110, on the internal fabric stretched between the panels 110, or any other location on the water spray pool that permits the water inlet 120 to be connected to the water inflated channel 140.


The water inflated channel 140 may be attached to the support panel 110 in any manner. In other embodiments the water inflated channel 140 is partially attached to the support panel 110. In other embodiments the water inflated channel 140 is removably attached to the support panel 110. In other embodiment the water inflated channel 140 may be attached to some support panels 110 but not other support panels 140. The water support channel 140 may be attached to the support panel 110 in any configuration or position. For instance, the water inflated channel 140 may be positioned on an external surface of the support panel 110. In other embodiments the water inflated channel 140 is positioned in an internal cavity of the support panel 110.


The water inflated channels 140 may be visible, on the outside of the support panels 110, or invisible inside the support panels 110.


In other embodiments the water inflated channel 140 may be modular so that some portions of the water inflated channel 140 may be removed or added as desired. Sections of the water inflated channel 140 may be connected through any means, such as through male/female threading. When a portion of the water inflated channel 140 is removed, the end of the water inflated channel 140 may be plugged or capped. Alternatively, there may be a water feature or a spout placed at the terminal end of the water inflated channel 140.


Along the perimeter of the water inflated channel 140 are spray apertures 130. There may be one or more than one spray apertures 130 and the spray apertures 130 may be any size or shape. The spray apertures 130 may be punched holes in the water inflated channel 140 or may be individual nozzles of any shape or size formed either straight or at an angle. The spray apertures 130 may have a certain nozzle type that produces either a flat fan shape, hollow cone shape, full cone shape, solid stream shape, or a variety of other pressurized shapes. Varying the size and/or shape of the spray apertures 130 will create different spray patterns. Water may be expelled at any angle from the spray apertures 130 when water is flowing through the water inflated channel 140. In the preferred embodiment, water is sprayed up at any measured distance from the spray apertures 130 at a slight or any angle towards the center of the water spray pool 100.


Also referring to FIG. 2 a drainage plug outlet 160 may be utilized. The drainage plug outlet 160 may be any size or shape and in the closed position prevents water in the water spray pool 100 from evacuating. The drainage plug outlet 160, in the open position, allows the water to evacuate outside of the water spray pool 100 and there may be one or more than one drainage plug outlets 160. The drainage plug outlet 160 may be located on any of the support panels 110 and positioned anywhere on the panel. In other embodiments the water spray pool 100 does not have a drainage plug outlet 160. In this embodiment a user flexes a support panel 120 down to permit the water to run out of the water spray pool 100.


The water spray pool 100 may or may not have one or more than one of an inner water spray support channel 180 that is positioned vertically. Water may flow to the inner water spray support channel 180 at an open connection with the water inflated channel 140 and may be made from PVC or another vinyl or plastic material and is attached along the inner side of the support panels 110 by heat bond, glue, sewn fabric or another method of bonding. When the water source is active, water flows into the water inlet 120 and through the water inflated channel 140 and may or may not flow to an inner water spray support channel 180. The inner water spray support channel 180 may be glued, bonded, or sewn closed at the lower base of the support panels 110 where the panels meet the pool floor 150. Water is then expelled at the spray apertures 130 from water pressure driven by a common outdoor water spigot that may be rated between forty and sixty pounds per square inch (PSI). Water may be sprayed from the spray aperture 130 located on the inner water spray support channel 180 in a direction toward the center of the water spray pool 100.


Referring to FIG. 3 the pool floor 150 may have a non-slip coating or is made from non-slip PVC or another vinyl or plastic material and attached along the lower base of the inner side of the support panels 110 by heat bond, glue, sewn fabric or another method of bonding. The water spray pool 100 may have one or more than one eyelet made from metal, fabric, vinyl, or any other material and attached to the outer base of the support panels 110. Using a stake to secure the water spray pool 100 through the eyelet may be necessary for stability.


In an alternative embodiment, the water inlet 120 is connected only to the inner water spray support channel 180 and water is sprayed horizontally towards the center of the water spray pool 100.


Referring to FIG. 4, the preferred utilization of the water spray pool 100 is illustrated. In this embodiment the spray apertures 130 are configured to spray water vertically above the pool toward the center of the pool basin.


The water spray pool 110 may have any other combination of elements or components added on without diverting from the scope of the invention. In one embodiment there may be a water pump connected to the water inlet 120 to add additional pressure to the water spraying through the spray apertures 130. The water pump may be variable speed to adjust the pressure of the water as it sprays. In other embodiments there may be an inlet in the water spray pool 100 to permit the water in the pool to recirculate through the water inflated channels 140 and spray out through the spray apertures 130 a second time. There may be one or more control valves connected to the inflated water channel 140 to permit a user to control which portion of water inflated channel 140 is active at any time or which spray apertures 130 are spraying water at any one time. In other embodiments there may be one or more LED lights connected to the panels 110 or any portion of the water spray pool 100 to permit use of the water spray pool 100 at night.


What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.


The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims
  • 1. A water spray pool comprising: a) a plurality of support panels;b) a membrane connected to each of said plurality of support panels, wherein said membrane is shaped to form a pool basin for holding water;c) a water inflated channel connected to said membrane;d) a water inlet for receiving water into said water inflated channel; ande) a plurality of spray apertures disposed in said water inflated channel.
  • 2. The water spray pool as in claim 1 wherein said water support channel further comprises a top portion disposed at a top end of said membrane.
  • 3. The water spray pool as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of spray apertures further comprises a top set of said spray apertures, wherein said top set of spray apertures are disposed on said top portion of said water support channel.
  • 4. The water spray pool as in claim 3 wherein each of said top set of said spray apertures are configured to spray water at a vertical angle toward the center of the pool basin.
  • 5. The water spray pool as in claim 1 further comprising a drainage outlet.
  • 6. The water spray pool as in claim 1 wherein said water inlet is configured to attach to a common garden hose.
  • 7. The water spray pool as in claim 1 further comprising a control valve connected to said water inflated channel.
  • 8. The water spray pool as in claim 1 further comprising one or more water support channels connected to said water inflated channel, wherein each of said one or more water support channels are disposed in a substantially vertical position on said membrane.
  • 9. The water spray pool as in claim 8 wherein each of said one or more water support channels further comprise one or more water support channel spray apertures.
  • 10. The water spray pool as in claim 1 further comprising a recirculation inlet connected to said water inflated channel, wherein said recirculation inlet is configured to draw water from said water spray pool into said water inflated channel.
  • 11. The water spray pool as in claim 1 further comprising one or more LED lights.
  • 12. The water spray pool as in claim 1 wherein each of said panels further comprises a spring steel frame with a fabric covering.
  • 13. The water spray pool as in claim 12 wherein said fabric covering further comprises a PVC coating.
  • 14. The water spray pool as in claim 13 wherein said water support channel further comprises a top portion disposed at a top end of said membrane.
  • 15. The water spray pool as in claim 14 wherein said plurality of spray apertures further comprises a top set of said spray apertures, wherein said top set of spray apertures are disposed on said top portion of said water support channel.
  • 16. The water spray pool as in claim 3 wherein each of said top set of said spray apertures are configured to spray water at a vertical angle toward the center of said pool basin.