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 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    At least one example in accordance with the present invention relates generally to aquatic pools, sprinklers and slides. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of Related Art 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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 
       [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment, the sprinkler is shaped as one of a whale, a crab, a star, and an elephant. 
         [0011]    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. 
         [0012]    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. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, the aquatic-based toy further comprises means for configuring the pool, the sprinkler and the slide for independent use. 
         [0014]    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. 
         [0015]    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 
         [0016]    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: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an image of a pool in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is an image of a pool and sprinkler in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  is an image of a pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2D  is an image of a sprinkler in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2E  is an image of a sprinkler, slide and plastic sheet in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 4A-4D  depict a pool, a sprinkler, a slide and various combinations thereof in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts a sprinkler, pool and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 6A-6D  depict a pool, a sprinkler, a slide and various combinations thereof in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  depicts a pool, sprinkler and slide in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    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. 
         [0029]    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. 
         [0030]      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. 
         [0031]    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. 
         [0032]    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. 
         [0033]      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. 
         [0034]    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 . 
         [0035]      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. 
         [0036]    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. 
         [0037]      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 . 
         [0038]      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. 
         [0039]    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 . 
         [0040]    The sprinkler  102  depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 B,  2 D and  2 E 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. 
         [0041]      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 . 
         [0042]      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. 
         [0043]      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 . 
         [0044]      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. 
         [0045]      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 . 
         [0046]    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 . 
         [0047]    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. 
         [0048]    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&#39;s limit is defined only in the following claims and equivalents thereto.