Abstract:
A lower water chamber is constructed and held in a bladder which underlies the floor of the pool. The lower water chamber constitutes the base of the pool and is initially hollow and empty before being filled with water. The water chamber has a fill opening and a drain opening. The fill opening has a valve for receiving a standard garden hose. The drain opening preferably also has a rigid connection for receiving a standard garden hose. After the water bladder is filled, the user closes the fill opening and the drain to make a closed water bladder. The water bladder is preferably made of a plastic, polyolefin, or elastomeric type of material which is watertight and strong enough to hold the weight of children. The pool is preferably self inflating.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of and claims priority from Samuel Chen&#39;s U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/148,369 filed Apr. 18, 2008 titled Water Conservation Pool, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is in the field of self inflating pools. 
       DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
       [0003]    In the summertime, children like to play in water such as pools. For those smaller children such as toddlers and infants, the small inflatable pool in the backyard is one of those traditional means for cooling off. If the pool is filled with a garden hose, the water is usually cool enough to help kids cool off. Also, the small inflatable pool allows parents to watch the children without worrying about the increased risk of drowning from a traditional inground swimming pool. Many children under three years old are still unable to swim and those that do often just want to splash around for an hour or two before their afternoon nap. One of the main benefits of the small inflatable pool is the relatively low cost. Also, children are less likely to suffer head injuries on concrete surfaces if they are sitting in an inflated pool that is on the backyard lawn. The above-mentioned benefits of the traditional small inflatable pool has made it extremely popular in the United States and around the world. 
         [0004]    While the children are in the garden playing in the pool, the house can be empty and does not need air conditioning, which saves a tremendous amount of energy. Sometimes, with rolling blackouts and power outages due to excessive air-conditioning usage, adults can also sit in the kiddie pool to cool off. Therefore, the ubiquitous small inflatable pool commonly set up in the backyard has a variety of utilitarian benefits. 
         [0005]    Unfortunately, the inflatable pool requires a substantial amount of water, which evaporates after use, or is dumped on the lawn. After children play in the pool, the water is typically emptied out and lost. The water cannot be kept in the pool for an extended amount of time since mosquitoes would multiply in it and it would generally become somewhat yucky over time especially if kids peed in the pool. Therefore, while the traditional inflatable pool has the benefit of saving a tremendous amount of air conditioning energy, it has the drawback of consuming water. 
         [0006]    Other inflatable structures that to not use water are also enjoyable, such as inflatable jump houses, however these inflatable jump houses do not provide cooling for children. Therefore, it is a present object of the invention to provide a kiddie pool that is novel and conserves water. An additional object of the invention is to have the pool self inflating. A self inflating pool is a pool that is initially not fully deployed, but which deploys itself during the process of the filling of the pool. Thus, a self inflating pool can be inflated with water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In the invention, a lower water chamber is constructed and held in a bladder which underlies the floor of the pool. The lower water chamber constitutes the base of the pool and is initially hollow and empty before being filled with water. The water chamber has a fill opening and a drain opening. The fill opening has a valve for receiving a standard garden hose. The drain opening preferably also has a rigid connection for receiving a standard garden hose. After the water bladder is filled, the user closes the fill opening and the drain to make a closed water bladder. The water bladder is preferably made of a plastic, polyolefin, or elastomeric type of material which is watertight and strong enough to hold the weight of children. 
         [0008]    Above the water chamber is a bouncing surface. The children walking on the water bladder, also called the water chamber may bounce and create waves on the bouncing surface. The bouncing surface is preferably circular for providing a circular play area for children. The bouncing surface is bounded by a water wall. The water wall can be filled with water or air, or a mixture of the two for the purpose of retaining an open water area. The open water area above the water chamber is filled with a few inches of water for the children to splash around in. 
         [0009]    As the children splash in the open water area, they can cool off and also simultaneously enjoy the sensation of the bouncing water chamber. The open water area may also receive other elements such as sand, or plastic balls which enhance the fun factor and entertainment value of the open water area. After usage, the open water area can be drained out by an open area water drain without draining the lower water bladder. 
         [0010]    The water wall can be made as a flowing air embodiment having nylon air porous fabric inflated by a fan. The water wall may further surround the sidewalls of the water bladder so that only the top portion of the water bladder is exposed as the bouncing surface. The water wall may further have stabilizing chambers to provide additional footing and support for the water walls. When the water wall is a blown embodiment, the water wall also extends downward to support the sidewalls of the water bladder. When the water wall is a blown embodiment, discontinuation of fan power drops the walls so that the water in the open water area drains out automatically. 
         [0011]    By combining the water bladder with the open water area, the present invention provides a fun and novel splashing experience without using much water. The invention aims to have a different type of outdoor summertime experience for children and toddlers. While the pool of water in the open water area is shallow, parental supervision remains absolutely vital for child safety. 
         [0012]    A water conservation pool has a water bladder having an inlet. The water bladder is hollow and flexible for filling with water. The water bladder is strong enough to support the weight of children on top. A bounce surface is disposed on a top surface of the water bladder. An inflatable rim above the water bladder bounce surface. A sidewall extends from the water bladder to the inflatable rim for retaining water in a water open area. The sidewall is collapsible when the pool is empty. 
         [0013]    The sidewall may further include a water wall together with the sidewall formed as a number of panels. The water wall can be is filled with air blown from an air blower such that it has sufficient inflation pressure to prevent substantial deformation of the water bladder. The water wall may have air stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from an air blower or be filled with air blown from an air blower. The water wall may have air stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air blower, and optionally the water wall retains a shallow pool water above the water bladder. 
         [0014]    The bounce surface can be made not flat, but instead define a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of water above the water bladder. The bounce surface can be flat and have water bladder walls protruding from the water bladder. The water bladder walls retain water in a shallow pool above the water bladder. If the sidewall includes a water wall when the sidewall is made of multiple layers, the water wall can be partially or entirely filled with air blown from an air blower. The water wall may have air stabilizing chambers that are filled with air blown from the air blower. The water wall preferably retains a shallow pool water above the water bladder. The bounce surface is preferably not flat, but instead defines a shallow basin for retaining a shallow pool of water above the water bladder. Portions of the sidewall or water wall can be formed as vertical inflatable ribs attached to the inflatable rim at a top portion of the inflatable ribs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    None of the figures are drawn to scale. The following call out list of elements is presented below for ease of cross-reference in identifying elements in the drawings:
         51  Inflatable Rim     52  Inflatable Rib     53  Sidewall Panel     54  Lower Sidewall Connection     55  Rib Edge     56  Rib Tip     57  Rim Edge     65  Intermediate Wall     70  Water Open Area     72  Water Wall     74  Water Bladder Walls     77  Bounce Surface     79  Fluid Stabilizing Chamber     86  Water Outlet     89  Water Inlet     88  Water Bladder     90  Air Blower     95  Air Blower Tube     99  Logo Imprinting Area On Sidewall       
 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    The first figure shows the present invention with a water bladder  88  providing a circular or oval bounce surface  77  with a number of air stabilizing chambers in connection with a water wall  72 . 
         [0043]    The air blower tube  95  is attached to a fan air blower  90 . The fan air blower  90  is typically found in inflating play structures, and is electrically powered by household current. The air from air blower tube  95  enters the water wall  72 , and supports the sidewalls  99  of the water wall  72  A logo can be imprinted on the water wall  72 . The air from the water wall  72  also leaks through, or passes through by apertures, or large hole mesh into stabilizing chambers  79 . The stabilizing chambers  79  are shaped as footings or supports that help hold the structure in place. The water wall  72  is filled with a fluid such as air or water as an inflation pressure such that it remains substantially rigid during use. The water wall  72  supports the water bladder around a periphery of the water bladder. The top of the water wall  72  preferably further includes a flat buffer area  67  which is a transition area between the water and the lawn. The flat buffer area  67  can also be padded on top by plastic foam if necessary. The flat buffer area annularly surrounds the bounce surface. 
         [0044]    The water bladder  88  preferably has a substantially circular footprint approximately 8 feet in diameter and is preferably around 16 or 18 inches in height. The pool of water can be around 12″ to 2″ of water for the children to play in. PVC is the preferred material for the water bladder  88 . 
         [0045]    The height of the stabilizing chambers is preferably about 36 inches. The height of the water wall is preferably about 24 inches. The top width of the water wall which is the flat buffer area  67  is preferably about 16 inches and the bottom width is preferably about 24 inches. The dimensions mentioned above are thought to be the best mode. Even if the dimensions are changed over 50%, the invention is still operable. For example, the stabilizing chambers can be over 5 feet tall and still be fun and operable. The top of the bounce surface can be printed with a themed graphic such as the surface of a moon, or beach sand. The graphic can be printed by corona printing, screen printing or any other means commonly known in the industry. 
         [0046]    The material of the stabilizing chambers  79 , and the water wall  72  is preferably nylon, with a uniform air leakage, so that air can exit uniformly from the airblown frame. The area where the nylon fabric supports the water bladder and the water open area  70 , is preferably coated with a waterproof surface, or a laminated strip of plastic to keep the water from leaking through the air porous nylon fabric. 
         [0047]    The first embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1  is shown as a cross-section in  FIG. 2  which shows the air stabilizing chambers  79  supporting the water wall  72  which in turn supports the water bladder  88 . The water bladder  88  and the water wall  72  contain the water in the water open area  70 . The water in the water open area  70  is exposed to the environment, whereas the water in the water bladder  88  is sealed. The bounce surface  77  is preferably loose enough so that waves form while children walk over the bounce surface  77 . The bounce surface is not pulled taught as in a trampoline, but rather the opposite so that it absorbs leg energy of a child instead of amplifying leg energy. This provides an experience substantially opposite to that of a trampoline, in that the water bladder  88  inhibits jumping. The bounce surface  77  absorbs children&#39;s bounces. The outlet  86  preferably has a screw cap or other valve for retaining water within the water bladder  88  during use, but allowing release of water if the apparatus needs to be moved to a different location. Similarly, inlet  89  is preferably designed to have a screw cap or other type of valve for retaining water within the water bladder  88  during use. The inlet  89  preferably receives a garden hose for rapid fill. When the water wall  72  is deflated of air, the water in the water open area  70  drains. 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 3 , water bladder walls  74  have replaced the role of the water wall  72 . The water wall  72  is now supporting the water bladder walls. The water bladder walls  74  may or may not have fluid communication with the water bladder  88 . The bounce surface  77  is relatively horizontal. The water bladder walls  74  are filled with water and water may or may not flow between the water bladder  88  and the water bladder walls  74 . When made as a separate element, the water bladder walls  74  are partitioned from the water bladder  88  by an intermediate wall  65 . When made so that there is water flow, the intermediate wall  65  has apertures allowing water flow. Also, when made so that there is water flow, the intermediate wall  65  may be omitted. When the water wall  72  is deflated of air, the water bladder walls  74  can be pressed by hand to drop and empty out the water in the water open area  70 . In this case, the water wall  72  can be filled with water or air. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  shows a third embodiment of the present invention with an open water area  70  that is concave and somewhat parabolic in shape with sloped walls that retain the water. Again, a bounce surface is disposed and defined on the top surface of the water bladder  88 . The water bladder in  FIG. 4  has a substantially circular footprint. The bounce surface  77  being gently sloped collects water and children in the middle to avoid people and water falling out. Therefore, the water open area  70  is defined as a base that has a sloping bottom surface in the third embodiment. The supporting water wall  72  is disclosed as an annular fitting around the water bladder  88 . The water wall  72  is preferably filled with a fluid such as air, and is preferably closed sealed air as opposed to airblown. The water wall  72  can also be filled with a fluid such as water. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention with an open water area  70  that shows a convex bounce surface. The pool of water is therefore deeper at the sides than in the middle. For small toddlers that may become trapped in the middle, the convex bounce surface pushes them to the outside and allows easier job retrieval in case children fall down or start struggling uncontrollably in the water. In the fourth embodiment, the water walls  72  are optional. The water bladder walls  74  may be the sole support for the water retained in the open water area. Water walls  72  are preferred since they keep the water from draining out when the kids crawl into the open water area. Children should be allowed to deform the soft water bladder walls  74 , since soft surfaces prevent injury, however water walls  72  would save more water by keeping water from leaking out the sides during entry and exit. The water walls  72  are not drawn to scale. In the fourth embodiment, when the water is not filled very high, an island forms in the middle that is dry. Children may retreat to the island, dry themselves out, then come back into the water to splash around. Again, the figure is not drawn to scale. 
         [0051]    Additionally, water, sand or hollow plastic balls can be added to the open water area for additional fun factor. With sand, children can watch the sand scatter and make different wave patterns. 
         [0052]    An addition of an inflatable rim  51  provides additional support for a rim of the pool, and the inflatable rim is connected at a rim edge  57  to a plurality of sidewall panel  53 . The rim edge  57  is also connected to a number of equally spaced inflatable ribs  52 . The inflatable ribs taper downward to a rib tip  56  from the inflatable rim  51 . Inflatable ribs are connected to the sidewall  53  at a rib edge  55 . The water bladder  88  is connected to the sidewall  53  at a lower sidewall connection  54 . The lower sidewall connection  54  extends circumferentially around the periphery of the water bladder  88 . The sidewall panel  53  is substantially flexible and can be of one or more sheets of laminated plastic or fabric. The sidewall panel  53  is optionally inflated with water or air, but preferably not inflated. The sidewall panel  53  preferably has sufficient flexibility to conform to receive water in the water holding area of the pool above water bladder. 
         [0053]    The apparatus with an inflatable rim  51  is set up first filling the water bladder  88 , then inflating by air, the inflatable rim  51  and optionally the inflatable ribs  52 . The inflatable ribs  52  can be made of a material more elastic than the material of the sidewall  53 . As the water enters the opening of the inflatable rim, the inflatable rim floats upward and a water holding area is defined. 
         [0054]    During use, people such as children jump on the water bladder  88  for an energy absorbing bounce like experience. Preferably, the about six vertical ribs may assist in initially supporting the inflatable rim at least some distance above the ground when the six vertical ribs are initially inflated, for the purpose of providing a height of the inflatable rim  51  above the ground during initial water introduction. 
         [0055]    Although the invention has been disclosed in detail with reference only to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is defined only by the claims set forth below.