Foldable children's wading pool and method of use

A foldable, portable fabric children's wading pool for installation in the ground and which has improved stability characteristics is provided. The pool includes a waterproof fabric base, a middle stabilizer section with a foam stiffening strip, and a sand anchor section with sleeves for holding a weighting material such as sand. The pool is set up by digging a hole in the ground and forming berms along the edges of the hole. Then, the pool is unfolded and positioned such that the waterproof fabric base is in the hole, the middle stabilizer section is on the top of the sand berm, and the sand anchor section extends downwardly and outwardly from the edge of the sand berm. Then, a weighting material is loaded into the sand anchor section and the pool is filled with water, preferably using the waterproof bag that also serves as a storage and transport bag for the pool when folded.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Going to the beach, either at the ocean or at a lake, is a common and beloved pastime for families. However, trips to the beach often present challenges to families with young children, particularly with respect to the safety and comfort of the children. Specifically, young children who have not yet learned to swim, or who are weak swimmers, should generally not be allowed to play in waves or rough surf. Further, for much of the year, although air temperatures may be pleasant, water temperatures remain too cold for young children. This is particularly true along the Pacific Coast of California. Nevertheless, few children want to go to the beach and not play in the water. As such, it has become popular to bring a portable swimming pool to the beach, filing the pool with ocean or fresh water, and permitting the child or children to bathe or swim therein. These portable pools are well known in the prior art and are typically inflatable or molded from plastic.

Such prior art portable pools are cumbersome, take up significant room in the family's vehicle and tend to be unstable in the sand. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a portable wading pool for use at the beach which is easily transportable and stable when in place at the beach. Prior art portable pools also generally fail to address the fact that, when filled with cold ocean water, they take considerable time to warm up to a temperature which would be comfortable for small children to bathe in.

Some prior art approaches to solving the problems of transportability and stability have focused on positioning a rubber or fabric pool in a hole dug into the sand. However, each of these prior art approaches suffer from various instability and inconvenience problems. U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,402 entitled “Portable In-Ground Pool” issued to Devino on Mar. 16, 1999, discusses a portable pool for beach use which employs an inflatable circumferential ledge which is secured into the sand utilizing stakes. Several disadvantages of this prior art pool are the fact that it must be inconveniently staked down and inflated to try to achieve stability. However, it is likely still is unstable and prone to deformation of the pool and collapse of the sand sidewalls, or having the stakes pulled out of the sand when the pool is filed and/or children enter and exit it, due to the weight of water and children on the sides and bottom of the pool, all of which could lead to failure of the pool fabric, leakage of water, causing falls of children entering or exiting the pool, and causing undue amounts of sand to fall into the pool.

Published Patent Application No. US 2007/0248414 A1, is entitled “Method and Apparatus for Making a Pool,” was filed by Ralph Fratianni on Apr. 20, 2007 and was published on Oct. 25, 2007. This published application discusses an apparatus for forming a pool including a panel of waterproof material supportable by a surface of a concaved area of sand and at least one sleeve or pouch coupled to or formed in an outer edge of the material, the at least one sleeve or pouch capable of holding a weighting substance and preventing an entire outer edge of the material from being relocated by the wind. Disadvantages of this prior art pool include instability and a tendency to have deformation of the pool and collapse of the sand sidewalls, when the pool is filed and/or children enter and exit it, due to the weight of water and children on the sides and bottom of the pool, all of which could lead to failure of the pool fabric, leakage of water, causing falls of children entering or exiting the pool, and causing undue amounts of sand to fall into the pool. Moreover, the described sleeve or pouch would appear to be difficult to load and unload with weighting material that is readily available at the beach, namely sand.

Published Patent Application No. US 2012/0023655 A1, is entitled “Portable Swimming Pool for Beach Use,” was filed by Jeffrey Junquet on Jul. 26, 2011 and was published on Feb. 2, 2012. This published patent application discusses a portable swimming pool for use at the beach formed from vinyl or other flexible waterproof material comprising a circular base and a side wall that extends upward from the base and tapers outward as it extends up. To use it, a user digs a hole and unfolds the pool into the hole. The Junquet portable swimming pool discussed also includes a sand apron extending outwardly from the edge of the side wall, which can be laid out on the surface of the sand next to the hole, and then covered with sand, which allegedly provides stability. Disadvantages of this prior art pool include instability in the interface between the pool and the sand, a tendency to have deformation of the pool and collapse of the sand sidewalls, when the pool is filed and/or children enter and exit it, due to the weight of water and children on the sides and bottom of the pool, all of which could lead to failure of the pool fabric, leakage of water, causing falls of children entering or exiting the pool, and, due to the sand apron laying flat on the surface of the sand—and then be covered with a layer of sand—having undue amounts of sand to fall into the pool as children enter and exit it.

Thus, there is a need to be able to have a portable wading pool that that is stable, with respect to both wind and shifting sand, is able to easily allow children to climb into and out of the pool, while withstanding the rigors of children climbing into and out of the pool when filled with water and not filling with spilled sand. Additionally, a portable wading pool that warms water quickly for use with cold ocean water is needed and preferable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses and alleviates these problems with prior art. While various embodiments of the foldable children's wading pool of the present invention exist, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, each generally includes a foldable waterproof fabric base, a middle stabilizer section attached to that base and incorporating a stiffening foam strip, and a sand anchor section with at least one sleeve to allow insertion of a weighting material such as sand.

The approach taken by the present invention foldable pool is to provide a portable pool which is situated into a hole dug into the beach sand, using sand berms along the edges of the hole; whereby said berms are engaged by the pool sidewall, the middle stabilizing section and the sand anchors, in order to provide lateral support and stability to the pool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

A first embodiment of the portable children's wading pool10is illustrated inFIG. 1. The pool10includes a waterproof fabric base12, a middle stabilizer section14, and a sand anchor section16. The waterproof fabric base12has a bottom section18and at least one side section20. In the embodiment shown, the waterproof fabric base12has four side sections20, each of which is bonded, sewn or otherwise attached to the bottom section in a manner that will ensure that the entire waterproof fabric base12will remain generally waterproof. The bottom section18of the waterproof fabric base12is generally oval shaped, and each of the side sections20are generally trapezoidal, such that when the pool12is unfolded and in place, the side sections20generally taper downwardly and inwardly toward the bottom section18. The waterproof fabric base12can be comprised of any suitable waterproof material, such as but not limited to polyester canvas with polyurethane coating, plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and, or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Preferably, it is comprised of a waterproof fabric material that is durable when repeatedly exposed to water, salt water, sand and sun. Further preferably, the waterproof fabric base12is a dark color, for example black or dark grey, so that when the sun strikes it, the material will warm quickly and help heat up any water in the pool when it is filled.

The portable children's pool10is stabilized against being blown by the wind and against shifting sand caused by the entry and exist of children into the pool by the integrated action of the middle stabilizer section14and the sand anchor section16. As shown in greater detail inFIGS. 6-8, the middle stabilizer section16is comprised of fabric22and a foam stiffening strip24. The fabric22may be the same kind waterproof fabric used for the waterproof fabric base12, or it can be any fabric that is suitably durable when exposed to water, salt water, sand and sun. The foam stiffening strip24is attached to the fabric22by stitching, gluing or any other suitable method known to one of ordinary skill in the art. As shown inFIGS. 6 & 7, the fabric22may entirely enclose the foam stiffening strip24, or alternatively, as shown inFIG. 8, the fabric22may be attached to the top of the foam strip24. Alternatively the foam stiffening strip24may be attached to the top of the fabric22, although that embodiment is not explicitly shown.

The foam stiffening strip24may be comprised of any foam that will provide increased rigidity to the middle stabilizer section without preventing the middle stabilizer section14from being folded for storage. Preferably, the foam stiffening strip24is pre-creased at specific intervals to aide a user in the folding operation. Also preferably, the foam stiffening strip is comprised of a closed-cell foam, in order to prevent absorption of water resulting in increased weight and waterlogging during and after use. For example, the foam stiffening strip24may be made from foams including polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, expanded polystyrene (“EPS”), neoprene rubber and “gym rubber”, i.e., polyvinyl chloride nitrile butadiene rubber (PVC/NBR).

The middle stabilizer section14is attached to, or an integral extension of, the waterproof fabric base12. Preferably, the fabric22of the middle stabilizer section14is attached to or an integral extension of the side sections18of the waterproof fabric base12.

The sand anchor section16is attached to, or an integral extension of, the middle stabilizer section14. Preferably, the fabric of the sand anchor section16is attached to or an integral extension of the middle stabilizer section14. As shown inFIGS. 1, and 6-8, the sand anchor section is preferably a sleeve28of fabric that extends for the entire length of the middle stabilizer section14. The sand anchor sleeve28is open at its top30, although in alternate embodiments, it can be closed. The open top30of the sleeve28is preferable in order to enable easy loading and unloading of a weighting material, such as sand32, into the sand anchor section16when the pool10is being set up. Preferably, the sleeve28is also open, or primarily open, at each end34of each sleeve28. The open ends34of the sleeve28enable the easy unloading of the weighting material from the sleeve28of the sand anchor section16when the pool10is being put away for travel and storage. The ends of the sleeve may also be partially closed, in order to help retain the weighting material. Further, in a preferred embodiment, the sand anchor section16has a mesh window36at the top of the sleeve28. This mesh window36is made of any suitable mesh that will be durable when exposed to water, salt water, sand and sun. The mesh window36also increases the ease with which weighting material can be loaded and unloaded into the sand anchor section16, as well as provides an easy way to see how much weighting material has been loaded into the sand anchor section sleeve28. Additionally, the mesh window36can have an elastic cord38integrated into or attached to the top edge of the mesh. This elastic cord38is preferably attached to the fabric of either the sand anchor16or the middle stabilizer section14at at least two points, namely the ends34of the sand anchor section16. The elastic cord38may also be attached to the fabric at convenient intervals along either the sand anchor section16or the middle stabilizing section14. The elastic cord38assists in the ease of loading the sand anchor section16with weighting material, because it can be stretched open, but also assists in the retention of weighting material, because it pulls the mesh top window36tight against the fabric of the sand anchor section16or middle stabilizer section14, when weighting material such as sand32is loaded into the sand anchor section16as shown inFIG. 6.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the middle stabilizer section14and attached sand anchor section16are divided into four segments. Each segment is attached to the waterproof fabric base12at the outside edge of the adjacent waterproof fabric base side section20. In a preferred embodiment, adjacent segments of the divided middle stabilizer section14are attached to each other by a gusset40of fabric at each of the corners42of the pool10. Each gusset40serves to strengthen the respective corner42of the pool10while at the same time allowing the foam stiffening strip24to be divided, thereby allowing easier folding of the pool10when it is to be transported and stored. The gusset40also allows the sand anchor section16to be separated into segments and not present at the corners42of the pool10, thereby making it easier to approach, enter, and exit the pool at the corner42without stepping on the sand anchor section16. The gusset40may be a simple extension of the fabric22that comprises the middle stabilizer section14. It may also be a separate piece of strong fabric that is sewn or otherwise attached to each of the adjacent middle stabilizer section14segments.

While it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the pool can be of any shape, preferably, the pool10is configured as a generally-oval shaped pool. As used herein, the term “generally oval-shaped” is meant to refer to the non-polygon shape of the pool shown inFIG. 1and as seen from above inFIG. 9. Namely, when viewed from above, as shown inFIG. 9, it is reminiscent of a square or rectangle, but each of the sides has been bowed or curved outwardly. This generally oval shape is made by adjusting the size and shape of the bottom section18of the waterproof fabric section12, the generally trapezoidal side sections18of the waterproof fabric section12, and forming each of the four segments of the middle stabilizer section14, as a curve. In general, when the pool10is configured in a generally oval-shape as defined above, such a configuration improves both sand hole sidewall stability as well as the ease with which small children can enter and exit the pool without impacting its stability. When a hole is dug in the sand in a generally oval shape, rather than using straight line edges, the side walls of the sand hole, as well as the edges of the hole are generally more stable and durable. Further when the pool10is configured in a generally oval shape as shown, small children often find it easier to enter and exit the pool at the corners42of the pool10, because they do not have to step over or on the sand anchor section16. Further, by stepping on the corners42of the pool10, the gussets40, or the sand berm44at the corner of the hole, any child that is entering or exiting the pool will not crush down the sand berm44by stepping on the middle stabilizing section16. Additionally, if the child steps on the corner gusset40of the pool10, the weight of the child will be distributed across the fabric—and anchoring weight—of two adjoining sand anchors16, rather than on a single sand anchor, thereby reducing the force that would otherwise pull the middle stabilizing section14and the sand anchors16toward the center of the pool10. Finally, this method of ingress and egress, which is in part facilitated by the shape of the pool and the use of the fabric gussets, serves to minimize the amount of sand that is accidently kicked or poured into the pool.

While not intended to be limiting in any way, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pool is approximately three feet, 6 inches long and 2 feet, 6 inches wide. The middle stabilizer section is approximately 4 inches wide and about one-half to one inch thick. The sand anchor section extends downwardly about 6-8 inches. Further, in this embodiment, the pool can be filled with approximately 18 to 24 inches of water, as measured from the bottom of the bottom section of the waterproof fabric base.

FIG. 2illustrates a bag50for use with the pool10. The bag50preferably has an assortment of straps52and handles54for carrying the bag, as well as pouches56for carrying beach accessories. The bag is preferably large enough for the entire pool10to be folded and stored within the bag50. Further, preferably, the bag50is made of a waterproof material so that it can be used as bucket for carrying water and filling the pool, as described further below.

InFIGS. 1 & 6, the portable children' pool10is shown in use at the beach. Specifically, as discussed further below, the pool10is unfolded, in-place in a hole with side berms in the sand, filled with water, and with the sand anchor pockets and in use at the beach. The pool10is set up and put in place via a series of steps illustrated inFIGS. 3-6. First, a digging tool60, or even a user's hands, are used to outline a hole62in the sand that is roughly the same size as the pool10. The user then digs the hole62, which should taper downward and inwardly from the edges of the hole. The user also should form sand berms44along the edges of the hole. These sand berms44should be taller than the surface of the surrounding ground and generally an extension of the side walls64of the hole62. The user then unfolds the pool10and inserts it into the hole62. The pool10should be oriented so that the waterproof fabric base12is in the base of the hole62. The pool10should be further oriented so that the middle stabilizer section14of the pool10is placed at the top68of each of the sand berms44. Then, the sand anchors16should extend outwardly and down the outside sides of the sand berms44. This configuration will enable the filled sand anchors16and the water70in the filled pool10to weigh down and press against opposing sides of the sand berm, pulling the middle stabilizing section14down against the top68of the sand berm44. This configuration will result in a push/pull effect that stabilizes the sand at the edge of the pool, minimizes the amount of deformation to the sand wall sides of the hole that might otherwise occur when children step on the edges or sides of the pool, prevents or minimizes the fabric of the pool from being pulled downward in a way that water will spill out of the edge of the pool, and in the event of localized deformation of the sand side wall or berm, prevents instability or failure of the entire sand side wall or sand berm.

The user then uses sand32or other weighting material, such as pebbles or dirt, to fill the sand anchors. This is accomplished by either using sand excavated from the hole, or from other available materials. The user can insert the weighting material by pulling back the open top30of each sleeve28of the sand anchor section16and pouring the material in, then evenly distributing it across the length of the sleeve28. Then, the user fills the pool10with water70or other liquid. Preferably, the user can use the waterproof fabric bag50as a bucket to scoop water70from the ocean or lake, and then pour it into the pool10. On completion of the setup, the pool is configured as shown inFIG. 6.

When fully set up, children can play in the pool. Preferably, due to the generally oval shape of the pool, as well as the use of the segmented middle stabilizer section14, segmented sand anchor section16and gussets40, children will naturally climb into and out of the pool at the corners42of the pool10, thereby minimizing stepping on, tripping on and compressing the sand anchor section16, the middle stabilizer section14, the sand berms44and sand side walls64of the hole62.

When the user is ready to take the pool down, this process can be reversed. Preferably, the weighting material can be easily swept out of the sand anchor section16at the open ends34of each sleeve28. Then, any water70which has not been dipped out with the bag50can be simply dumped out into the hole when the pool10is lifted. Finally, the pool10is folded, with folds being made at the pre-creased locations in the middle stabilizer section14, and then stored in the waterproof fabric bag50.