Abstract:
A folding wading pool has in an unfolded condition a floor encompassed by an annular sidewall. The floor has a plurality of lower creases diverging outwardly from a central location toward the sidewall. The sidewall has a spaced plurality of upright creases. The lower and the upright creases can be folded to: (a) contract said sidewall by folding said upright creases, and (b) collapse said floor by (i) articulating said lower creases about said central location, and (ii) swinging said sidewall toward said floor.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to wading pools, and methods for folding pools into a compact package. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     A trip to the beach with children presents numerous challenges and requires many precautions. Young children must be carefully watched because of the risks associated with water. Moreover children may be adverse to cold ocean surf. Wading in ocean surf is inappropriate for small children and therefore safe diversions must be arranged. Because beach equipment is typically carried by hand, there are practical limitations to their size and weight. 
     While one can make a temporary play pool by pouring water into a hole dug in the sand, filling it with water with a typical beach pail is difficult. Regardless, the water eventually seeps through the sand. Portable play pools are known; for example, the pool of U.S. Pat. No. 2,505,845, which has inflatable sidewalls. See also U.S. Pat. No. 2,443,440. Inflating such a wall by blowing is difficult and time-consuming, especially in light of the short time the pool may be used at a beach. 
     The folding swimming pool of U.S. Des. Pat. No. 245,524 has a sidewall shown folded into twelve segments. Half of its inside face is brought against the opposite half and is then folded into six (doubled) sections. FIG. 4 shows that the folds of the sidewalls swing away from the floor to lie in the same plane as the folds of the floor. This ability to fold away from the floor, means the sidewall will not be stable when erected as shown in FIG.  1 . Portions of the sidewall will be able to swing outwardly to a horizontal position and spill the water in the pool. 
     The pool of U.S. Pat. No. 2,766,462 has a flexible liner 12 supported on a frame. The frame can be folded with the liner as shown in FIG.  9 . The frame is relatively complicated and has several rigid components. Thus this pool is relatively heavy and not easily transported. See also U.S. Pat. No. 2,628,364. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,860,914 six pie-shaped segments are interlocked and held with fasteners to form a pool. This is a relatively complex structure and still uses a liner to stay watertight. Also, when collapsed, the pie-shaped segments do not lie flat, but each has a vertical and horizontal wall. See also U.S. Pat. No. 3,869,736. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 991,246 paper can be folded to form a drinking cup. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,128,211; 1,373,182; 2,236,060; 3,087,640; and 5,460,324. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a portable pool that can be easily carried and assembled. While the foregoing suggest using a portable pool at ocean side, such utility will arise in other contexts. For example, a portable pool will be beneficial in a backyard, on a picnic, while traveling, while poolside, when visiting friends and relatives, on a patio or deck, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a folding wading pool having in an unfolded condition a floor encompassed by an annular sidewall. The floor has a plurality of lower creases diverging outwardly from a central location toward the sidewall. The sidewall has a spaced plurality of upright creases. The lower and the upright creases are foldable to: (a) contract said sidewall by folding said upright creases, and (b) collapse said floor by (i) articulating said lower creases about said central location, and (ii) swinging said sidewall toward said floor. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method is provided for folding a wading pool. The pool, in an unfolded condition, has a floor encompassed by an annular sidewall. The method includes the step of folding the floor with a plurality of lower creases that diverge outwardly from a central location toward the sidewall. Another step is folding the sidewall with a spaced plurality of upright creases. The lower and the upright creases are folded to: (a) contract said sidewall by folding said upright creases, and (b) collapse said floor by (i) articulating said lower creases about said central location, and (ii) swinging said sidewall toward said floor. 
     By employing equipment and methods of the foregoing type, an improved, folding wading pool is achieved. In a preferred embodiment, a pool may be molded of elastomeric material in the shape of a short open cylinder. The floor and sidewall of the preferred pool may have a number of relieved creases formed by molding grooves in the pool. For example, a number of radial grooves may be molded on the floor with adjacent grooves placed on alternating sides of the floor. These radial grooves on the floor may intercept upright grooves on the sidewall, which may again be arranged in an alternating patterns. 
     This preferred pool may be folded by collapsing the floor in an umbrella-like fashion. Simultaneously, the sidewall may swing toward the floor while contracting in an accordion-like fashion. The pool will then be folded into a relatively small package that can be stored in a carrier. When the pool is in use, the empty carrier may serve as a water pail for filling the pool. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of presently preferred but nonetheless illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folding wading pool in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a top view of the pool of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a detailed, fragmentary, top view of the pool of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, elevational view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pool of FIG. 1 shown in a partially folded condition; 
     FIG. 6 is a detailed, fragmentary, perspective view of an upper portion of the partially folded pool of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a detailed, fragmentary, perspective view of an upper portion of a pool with a folding scheme that is an alternate to that of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a detailed, fragmentary, perspective view of an upper portion of a pool with a folding scheme that is an alternate to that of FIGS. 6 and 7; and 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pool of FIG. 5 shown fully folded and partially inserted into a carrier. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a folding wading pool is shown with a cylindrical sidewall  10  joined perpendicularly to a circular floor  12 . The sidewall  10  is composed of 24 four-sided segments  14 . The segments  14  are preferably 12 to 16 cm tall, but may be sized differently in other embodiments. The segments  14  are joined together on the left and right by upright creases  16 A and  16 B to form a ring with a diameter of 75 to 250 cm, although other diameter sizes may be used in alternate embodiments. 
     Floor  12  is subdivided into 24 wedge-shaped, successive sectors  18 . The outer edges of sectors  18  are integral with the lower edges of segments  14 . The sectors  18  are joined together on their clockwise and counterclockwise edges by lower creases  20 A and  20 B. The sectors  18  converge toward a central location that is part of central region  22 . 
     The sidewall  10  and floor  12  (including central region  22 ) may be integrally molded from an elastomeric material. This material will be chosen to have a sufficient rigidity to remain erect in the illustrated configuration, but without being brittle or presenting hard surfaces or sharp edges that may lead to injury. In some embodiments the pool material may be a composite with a relatively stiff core surrounded by a softer layer. In some instances portions of the pool may be fabricated as separate components that are then assembled with appropriate fastening means (gluing, heat sealing, elongated clamps, or other fasteners). In some embodiments a number of core elements may be separately fabricated and then joined together by molding a common, continuous layer over the core elements. 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, previously mentioned creases  20 A and  20 B are shown as radial grooves. Grooves  20 A are formed on the underside of floor  12 , while grooves  20 B are formed on the topside. Grooves  20 A and  20 B are relieved to form a type of live hinge. 
     The previously mentioned upright creases are shown relieved by vertical grooves  16 A and  16 B. Grooves  16 A and  16 B are formed on the inside and outside, respectively, of sidewall  14 . Grooves  16 A and  20 A are directed to the same location along the bottom edge of the pool. Grooves  16 B and  20 B also meet at the same locations. 
     In some embodiments these grooves can be made wide enough so that they can be contained within the fold; but preferably, folding takes place so that the grooves are on the outside of the fold. In still other embodiments grooves may be formed on both sides of a crease so that the creases can fold in either direction. Depending on the type of relief, the folding relief may be placed on one side, for example, the underside of the floor  12  and the outside of sidewall 
     Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, central region  22  shown is fitted with an optional drain plug  23 . The pool is shown in the process of being folded. Folding may be accomplished by grasping and lifting central region  22 , allowing the sectors  18  and the creases  20 A and  20 B to articulate downwardly as shown in FIG.  5 . At the same time, the creases  20 A and  20 B will fold to form valleys and ridges, respectively. This folding of sectors  18  is similar, but not identical, to the way a conventional umbrella folds. Also at this time, the segments  14  will fold toward the sectors  18 , while simultaneously folding along creases  16 A and  16 B in an accordion-like fashion. 
     The articulation of sectors  18  about central region  22  results in the formation of three-sided sections  24 , in this embodiment. Each of the sections  24  has a distal vertex  26  opposite its border with central region  22 . Vertices  26  are aligned with the ridges formed by creases  20 B. The borders of sections  24  can be relieved with grooves to allow a well-defined folding line. Alternatively, the region around each of the sections  24  can be made somewhat thinner to allow a more general folding region with less distinct fold lines. In still other embodiments the sections  24  will maintain a uniform thickness without any special provisions for folding. While sections  24  are shown in FIG. 6 as well-defined triangles, in practical embodiments these sections can have a complex three-dimensional curve with indistinct borders. The transition from section to section may involve a complex, saddle-shaped region with indistinct borders. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, components corresponding to those previously illustrated in FIG. 6 have the same reference numerals but are marked with a prime (′). Central region  22 ′ is bordered with a number of three-sided sections  24 ′, whose vertices  26 ′ align with the valleys formed by relieved creases  20 A′. These valleys alternate with the ridges formed by relieved creases  20 B′. The ridges and valleys form the borders for sectors  18 ′. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, alternative floor  12 ″ has a central region  22 ″ similar to that previously described. The previously mentioned sectors, however, have been replaced with sectors  28  whose outwardly directed sides are parallel (or diverge slightly). Downward articulation of sectors  28  is accommodated by inward pleats  30  and  32 . In some embodiments these pleats may be evenly distributed around the central region  22 ″. In this embodiment, inward pleats  30  and  32  alternate with outward pleats  34  and  36 . Other embodiments may use outward pleats  34  and  36  exclusively, which pleats will be evenly distributed around central region  22 ″. 
     In any event, the sectors  18  and segments  14  may be brought together to form the compact package shown in FIG.  9 . Preferably, the pool will be held in a folded condition with an elastic band, a tie cord, etc. In this view, the folded pool is loaded into carrier  38  with the central region  22  (not shown in this view) inserted first. Carrier  38  is preferably a waterproof, cylindrical container with a carrying handle  40 . The folded pool may be inserted completely into carrier  38  so that no portion of the pool extends outside the carrier. In some embodiments a cover may be provided for carrier  38 . 
     To use the pool one will remove it from the carrier  38  and unfold it to the configuration shown in FIG.  1 . The segments  14  are rigid enough that they will not collapse when the pool is filled with water. For beach use one may also build a reinforcing sand bank around the sidewall  10 . Alternatively, the pool can be placed inside a matching hole dug in the sand, which may be backfilled if desired. The pool can be filled in various ways. Preferably, water can be carried with the carrier  38 . 
     It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described, preferred embodiments. While the illustrated pool has a circular border, some embodiments will have a border that is oval, rectangular, polygonal, etc. Some embodiments will employ a separate reinforcing device, such as a flexible band that attaches to the rim of the pool. Furthermore, the dimensions of the pool can be very depending upon the desired capacity, carrying weight, strength, etc. Moreover, the pool can be fabricated from a variety of plastics, sheet metal, fabrics, and other materials, depending upon the desired strength, rigidity, carrying weight, etc. 
     Also, while the illustrated pool the shown with 24 folding sectors, in other embodiments the pool may be divided into a different number of folding sectors. In addition, a variety of folding schemes can be implemented. For example, the floor of the pool can be subdivided into one or more annular regions that can be folded against an adjacent inner region. 
     Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.