Abstract:
An inflatable paddling pool includes an inflatable main body and an inflatable baby support structure attached thereto, as well as the use of such an inflatable paddling pool for cooling, bathing or washing a baby.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a paddling pool. More particularly, the invention relates to an inflatable paddling pool that is adapted for a baby&#39;s use. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Inflatable paddling pools are commonly used by individuals in their garden or in other outdoor spaces (e.g. a park) on holiday in warm weather for pleasure and/or to cool down. They are particularly suitable for children. However, young children, babies especially, not only need to be monitored when in the paddling pool but may also need to be supported in the pool by a supervising adult. Holding the baby safely in the paddling pool can be uncomfortable or otherwise inconvenient for that adult. It is amongst the objects of the present invention to attempt a solution to this problem. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The invention provides an inflatable paddling pool comprising (a) an inflatable main body and (b) an inflatable baby support structure attached thereto. Preferably, said baby support structure is arranged such that, in use, a baby is supported by said structure and the baby&#39;s body can be at least partially immersed in water by adding water to the main body. Preferably said baby support structure comprises a baby retaining means and/or comprises a back-rest, a seat or a bucket baby bath (preferably wherein said back-rest or seat further comprises a head-rest and/or a foot-rest and/or side retaining elements). 
         [0004]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is attached to the main body solely via the base of the main body. 
         [0005]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is arranged such that, in use, a baby is supported above the base of the main body. 
         [0006]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is arranged such that, in use and once the pool has been filled to capacity with water, a baby is supported by said structure and the baby&#39;s head is supported above the water. 
         [0007]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is releasably attached to the main body. In other preferred embodiments the baby support structure is integrated with the main body, preferably wherein said baby support structure and said main body have separate inflation systems. 
         [0008]    Also provided by the invention is the use of an inflatable paddling pool as described above for cooling, bathing or washing a baby. 
         [0009]    Included within the scope of the invention is an inflatable paddling pool substantially as described herein with reference to an as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an inflatable main body of a paddling pool according to the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section of a paddling pool according to the invention; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section of an inflatable baby support structure according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The invention relates to an inflatable paddling pool comprising an inflatable main body and an inflatable baby support structure attached thereto. The main body of the paddling pool comprises a base and a water-retaining wall or walls (typically, when inflated, with a minimum height of at least 10 cm or 20 cm but preferably with a maximum height of no more than 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm or 100 cm). In preferred embodiments, the minimum width of the main body (when inflated) is at least 1 m, 1.5 m or 2 m, and/or the maximum width of the main body (when inflated) is 3 m, 4 m or 5 m. 
         [0015]    The main body and/or the baby support structure can be partially, substantially or completely inflatable depending on what other required non-inflatable structures might be incorporated. For instance, the base of the main body is typically not inflatable (in contrast to the water-retaining wall(s)). 
         [0016]    The inflatable baby support structure is suitable for supporting a human baby, preferably a baby from newborn (e.g. with a minimum height of 40 cm) to 3 years old (e.g. with a maximum height of 110 cm), preferably up to one year of age (e.g. with a maximum height of 85 cm), more preferably up to 6 months of age (e.g. with a maximum height of 75 cm). 
         [0017]    The inflatable baby support structure supports the baby once inflated. Typically this means that the baby is held in a substantially reclined (in comparison to the horizontal) or even substantially upright orientation such that the baby&#39;s head remains out of the water in the paddling pool (while the baby&#39;s body is partially or fully immersed in the water). Preferably the support structure comprises a baby retaining means (such as a foot-rest or side retaining elements), which prevents (or helps to prevent) the baby from slipping down and/or rolling off the support structure. The inflatable paddling pool of the invention enables a baby to use a paddling pool without the need for the supervising adult to support the baby; this leaves that adult free to handle other things and avoids the potential discomfort associated with supporting a baby in a paddling pool for any length of time. In addition, if the support structure comprises a retaining means, the baby&#39;s safety whilst using the paddling pool is increased. 
         [0018]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure comprises a back-rest, a seat or a bucket baby bath. The back-rest or seat can be substantially reclined (in comparison to the horizontal) or even substantially upright. A seat can be any combination of a back-rest plus a buttock support. The buttock support can comprise a saddle structure. The seat might comprise (especially a substantially upright seat) a strut (positioned between the baby&#39;s legs in use) that links a substantially horizontal waist-band to the back-rest. 
         [0019]    In preferred embodiments the back-rest or seat further comprises a head-rest, a foot-rest and/or side retaining elements, for the baby&#39;s increased comfort and/or safety. 
         [0020]    Regarding a baby bucket bath, this is typically a structure with a wall or walls that retain and support the baby in a sitting or fetal position (and are particularly suitable for supporting a baby up to  6  months old). 
         [0021]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is attached to the main body solely via the base of the main body. This means that deformation of the wall (e.g. 
         [0022]    by toddlers or older children, or adults) whilst playing or getting in/out of the pool does not disrupt the baby in the support structure. 
         [0023]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is arranged such that, in use, a baby is supported above the base of the main body (i.e. the baby is not resting upon/in contact with the base but is instead raised above the base). This can provide greater comfort to the baby, especially when the base is not inflatable. In addition, this preferred feature means that a greater depth of water can be safely added to the pool (whilst keeping the baby&#39;s head above water) so that the pool can more successfully be used for paddling by toddlers etc and the baby simultaneously. 
         [0024]    In preferred embodiments the baby support structure is arranged such that, in use and once the pool has been filled to capacity with water, a baby is supported by said structure and the baby&#39;s head is supported above the water. This preferred feature ensures that, whilst in the support structure, a baby cannot be submerged by the water in the pool. 
         [0025]    In preferred embodiments the inflatable baby support structure is releasably attached to the main body (such as to the base). In this way the inflatable paddling pool can also be used in conventional manner, without baby support function (e.g. once the baby has grown to a child), once the support structure is released from the main body. 
         [0026]    The baby support structure might comprise general attachment means (e.g. suction pads) so that it can be attached to any of a number of different sites or regions of the main body. Alternatively, the attachment of the baby support structure can be restricted to one or more specific sites on the main body by use of means on the support structure that rely on corresponding means on the main body for attachment (e.g. a plug and socket system). Note that in these embodiments the baby support structure and the main body will have separate inflation systems (where an inflation system comprises the lumen within the structure to be inflated and the inflation means (e.g. valve) by which the flow of gas (usually air) into and out of the lumen is controlled). 
         [0027]    In preferred embodiments the inflatable baby support structure is integrated with the main body. In such embodiments the support structure and the main body could share a common inflation system, which might reduce manufacturing costs and/or make it easier to inflate the paddling pool. If the baby support structure is integrated with the base of the main body then the base is preferably inflatable and the support structure and the base (and possibly also the water-retaining wall(s)) share a common inflation system. Alternatively, the support structure and the main body have separate inflation systems. This is advantageous because the inflatable paddling pool can also be used in conventional manner, without baby support function (e.g. once the baby has grown to a child), provided that the support structure is not inflated (or is deflated). 
         [0028]    In further preferred embodiments the main body or the support structure comprises a shade structure (preferably an inflatable shade structure), such as a canopy; the provision of shade could provide additional baby safety in terms of protection from sunlight. 
         [0029]    A particular example of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 3 .  FIG. 1  shows an inflatable main body ( 1 ) comprising a non-inflatable base ( 2 ) and a single, circular and inflatable water-retaining wall ( 3 ). The inflatable baby support structure is not shown. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a cross-section though a paddling pool ( 4 ) comprising a non-inflatable base ( 2 ) and inflatable water-retaining wall ( 3 ). An inflatable baby support structure ( 5 ) is attached (solely) to the base at location ( 6 ) which can comprise a releasable attachment means or is the site of integration of the support structure with the base. Note that baby support structure ( 5 ) is arranged such that, in use, a baby is supported above the base ( 2 ) of the main body. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section of an inflatable baby support structure ( 5 ) that comprises an inflation system comprising a lumen ( 7 ) and valve ( 8 ). The support structure features a reclined seat ( 9 ) comprising a back-rest ( 10 ), a buttock support ( 11 ) and a foot-rest ( 12 ).