Abstract:
A wading pool retrofittable to a main pool, the wading pool being for containing water. The wading pool includes a plumbing system for providing the water and a water basin for receiving the water provided by the plumbing system. The water basin is defined by first and second side walls, a back wall and a front wall. The first and second side walls, the back wall and the front wall each have a respective height. The height of the front wall is substantially lower than the height of the back wall and than the height of the first and second side walls. The wading pool is located such as to allow water to outflow from the front wall into the main pool.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation in part of application 20050198728 published Sep. 15, 2005 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to wading pools. More specifically, to a wading pool retrofittable onto a main pool. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Wading or accessory pools for in-ground or above-ground main pools are known in the art. However, wading or accessory pools are usually integrally built with the main pool. Therefore, if there is an existing main pool, it is often very hard or impossible to add an accessory or wading pool to the main pool. Furthermore, when the wading pool is fitted to the main pool, it is often impossible to disassemble the wading pool for moving or maintenance thereof. 
         [0004]    In addition, accessory pools for residential use are typically relatively deep and are mainly used as hot tubs or jacuzzis. While helping a user to relax, hot tubs do not allow tanning as the user is covered in water. Also, hot tubs require that young children in the hot tub be under constant adult supervision. 
         [0005]    Against this background there exists a need in the industry to provide a novel wading pool. 
       Prior Art Capability and Motivations, as Helping to Show Patentability Here 
       [0006]    Even in hindsight consideration of the present invention to determine its inventive and novel nature, it is not only conceded but emphasized that the prior art had many details usable in this invention, but only if the prior art had had the guidance of the present invention, details of both capability and motivation. 
         [0007]    That is, it is emphasized that the prior art had/or knew several particulars which individually and accumulatively show the non-obviousness of this combination invention. E.g., 
         [0008]    a) Use of fiberglass in constructing spas, tub and related water containing vessels; 
         [0009]    b) The nature of an invention as being a “novel combination”, in spite of existence of details separately, is especially significant here where the novelty is of the plurality of concepts, i.e., the use of a shallow wading pool with the use of wooden “kit” construction in conjunction with an existing pool and its water filtration system; 
         [0010]    c) The addition of providing support members integrated into the wading pool structure into which the privacy wall sections can be mechanically fastened; 
         [0011]    d) The matter of particular cost-factors, in a detailed form which would surely convey the realization of the huge costs involved in installing a “kit” versus digging, making forms and pouring concrete as is known for existing adjoining spas and similar structures; 
         [0012]    e) The ease of tooling for the present invention has surely given manufacturers ample incentive to have made modifications for commercial competitiveness in a competitive industry, if the concepts had been obvious; 
         [0013]    f) The prior art has always had sufficient skill to make many types of fiberglass shapes, more than ample skill to have achieved the present invention, but only if the concepts and their combinations had been conceived; 
         [0014]    g) Substantially all of the operational characteristics and advantages of details of the present invention, when considered separately from one another and when considered separately from the present invention&#39;s details and accomplishment of the details, are within the skill of persons of various arts, but only when considered away from the integrated and novel combination of concepts which by their cooperative combination achieve this advantageous invention; 
         [0015]    h) The details of the present invention, when considered solely from the standpoint of construction, are exceedingly simple, basically fiberglass construction and plastic or wooden walls, benches and framing and the matter of simplicity of construction has long been recognized as indicative of inventive creativity; 
         [0016]    i) Similarly, and a long-recognized indication of inventiveness of a novel combination, is the realistic principle that a person of ordinary skill in the art, as illustrated with respect to the claimed combination as differing in the stated respects from the prior art both as to construction and concept, is presumed to be one who thinks along the line of conventional wisdom in the art and is not one who undertakes to innovate; and 
         [0017]    j) The predictable benefits from a novel swimming pool product and installation method having the features of this invention would seem sufficiently high that others would have been working on this type of product, but only if the concepts which it presents had been conceived. 
         [0018]    Accordingly, although the prior art has had capability and motivation, amply sufficient to presumably give incentive to the development a product and installation method according to the present invention, the fact remains that this invention awaited the creativity and inventive discovery of the present Inventor. In spite of ample motivation, the prior art did not suggest this invention. 
       Prior Art as Particular Instances of Failure to Provide This Novel Product and Installation Method 
       [0019]    In view of the general economic advantages of the present invention as an improved embodiment of the prior art, it may be difficult to realize that the prior art has not conceived of the combination purpose and achievement of the present invention, even though the need for shallow pools is a known requested commodity for people nowadays who want to sunbathe while being in cool water or who just want to dip their feet in water while socializing with friends or parents and grandparents alike being able to watch over children playing in a safe shallow water environment. Also, the ease of assembly also translates in an ease to disasemble should the owner of the wading pool decide to move and carry his wading pool with him. The various combination provided in this invention would have been desired and attempted long ago, but only if its factors and combination-nature had been obvious. 
         [0020]    Other considerations, as herein mentioned, when realistically evaluated show the inventive nature of the present invention, a change in concept which the prior patent and other prior art did not achieve. 
       Summary of the Prior Art&#39;s Lack of Suggestions of the Concepts of the Invention&#39;s Combination 
       [0021]    And the existence of such prior art knowledge and related ideas embodying such various features is not only conceded, it is emphasized; for as to the novelty here of the combination, of the invention as considered as a whole, a contrast to the prior art helps also to remind of needed improvement, and the advantages and the inventive significance of the present concepts. Thus, as shown herein as a contrast to all the prior art, the inventive significance of the present concepts as a combination is emphasized, and the nature of the concepts and their results can perhaps be easier seen as an invention. 
         [0022]    Although varieties of prior art are conceded, and ample motivation is shown, and full capability in the prior art is conceded, no prior art shows or suggests details of the overall combination of the present invention, as is the proper and accepted way of considering the inventiveness nature of the concepts. 
         [0023]    That is, although the prior art may show an approach to the overall invention, it is determinatively significant that none of the prior art shows the novel and advantageous concepts in combination, which provides the merits of this invention, even though certain details are shown separately from this accomplishment as a combination. 
         [0024]    And the prior art&#39;s lack of an invention of an economical, easy to install shallow pool achieving a practical, durable, esthetic look and other advantages of the present invention, which are goals only approached by the prior art, must be recognized as being a long-felt need now fulfilled. 
         [0025]    Accordingly, the various concepts and components are conceded and emphasized to have been widely known in the prior art as to various installations; nevertheless, the prior art not having had the particular combination of concepts and details as here presented and shown in novel combination different from the prior art and its suggestions, even only a fair amount of realistic humility, to avoid consideration of this invention improperly by hindsight, requires the concepts and achievements here to be realistically viewed as a novel combination, inventive in nature. And especially is this a realistic consideration when viewed from the position of a person of ordinary skill in this art at the time of this invention, and without trying to reconstruct this invention from the prior art without use of hindsight toward particulars not suggested by the prior art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and advantages which are: 
         [0027]    To provide a wading pool retrofittable to a main pool. 
         [0028]    To provide a wading pool that is very shallow to allow for tanning. 
         [0029]    To provide a wading pool assemblable in kit form. 
         [0030]    To provide a wading pool which can be quickly installed or uninstalled to a main pool. 
         [0031]    To provide a wading pool which discharges its water as a waterfall into the main pool and as such, acts as an intermediary for the normal water circulation circuit of a pool. 
         [0032]    To provide a wading pool that can be manufactured economically. 
         [0033]    To attain these ends, the present invention generally comprises a wading pool retrofittable to a main pool, the wading pool being for containing water. The wading pool includes a plumbing system for providing the water and a water basin for receiving the water provided by the plumbing system. The plumbing system is an extension of the existing plumbing system of an existing pool in that it reroutes the usual water feed so that it passes first into the wading pool and from the wading pool, excess water will fall into the existing pool. The water basin is defined by first and second side walls, a back wall and a front wall. The first and second side walls, the back wall and the front wall each have a respective height. The height of the front wall is substantially lower than the height of the back wall and of the first and second side walls. The wading pool is located such as to allow water to outflow from the front wall into the main pool. In a specific example of implementation, the water basin is configured such that the water contained therein is shallower than 15 centimeters. 
         [0034]    Advantageously, the wading pool can be added to an existing main pool and can also be easily removed. In addition, the wading pool is relatively shallow and therefore allows a user to sunbathe. Furthermore, the shallowness of the wading pool makes the wading pool very safe. Finally, water flowing over the front wall into the main pool creates a waterfall. Such a waterfall presents a strong aesthetic appeal to many pool users, and the sound of water falling into the main pool can also provide a calming sensation such as when using a lip at the base of said front wall to break the flow of water into rai-like dripping. 
         [0035]    There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0036]    In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0037]    As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0039]    These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  Perspective view of the wading pool in context. 
           [0041]      FIGS. 2   ab  Perspective view of the wading pool and perspcertive view detail, respectively. 
           [0042]      FIG. 3  Top view of the frame. 
           [0043]      FIG. 4  Top view of the frame structure for the benches. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]      FIG. 1  shows a wading pool ( 10 ) retrofittable to a main pool ( 12 ). The wading pool ( 10 ) includes a water basin ( 14 ) part, a bench ( 16 ) structure, decorative panels ( 18 ), and a privacy wall ( 20 ). The decorative panels ( 18 ), and the privacy wall ( 20 ) are mechanically attached to the bench ( 16 ), and the bench ( 16 ) structure surrounds the water basin ( 14 ) so that the bench ( 16 ) along with the decorative panels ( 18 ), and the privacy wall ( 20 ) create a monolithic entity large and heavy enough to settle in a given place once assembled. To facilitate on-site assembly, the bench ( 16 ) along with the decorative panels ( 18 ), and the privacy wall ( 20 ) have been factory pre-cut and prepared with predrilled holes and adapted hardware so as to provide a kit that is easily assemblable by a weekend handyman. Additionally, the kit can include stairs ( 64 ) and a ramp ( 66 ). A lighting system could also be part of the available options. 
         [0045]    The wading pool ( 10 ) is positioned slightly higher than the main pool ( 12 ) so as to provide a waterfall coming from over a front wall ( 30 ) which is lower than side walls ( 24 ) and ( 26 ) and a back wall ( 28 ). The base of the front wall ( 30 ) can be equipped with a protuberant lip ( 31 ) which breaks the flow of water from a continuous or semi continuous curtain of water into a rain-like dripping which provides a soothing fountainlike sound. 
         [0046]    The water basin ( 14 ) includes a base ( 22 ), side walls ( 24 ,  26 ), a back wall ( 28 ) and a front wall. All walls ( 24 ,  26 ,  28 ) extend upwardly from the base ( 22 ). 
         [0047]    The water basin ( 14 ) is obviously designed to hold water and that impermeable characteristic can be obtained by two means, either by a flexible elastomer type material place to line the base ( 22 ) and walls ( 24 ,  26 ,  28 ) of the water basin ( 14 ) to which it is adhering to by way of adhesive means or the water basin ( 14 ) can be intrinsically impermeable if made of a waterproof material such as would be the case with fiberglass. Such waterproof types of construction and materials are well known in the art and will therefore not be described in further details herein. 
         [0048]      FIGS. 1 and 3  show, the decorative panels ( 18 ) and the bench ( 16 ) surround the base ( 22 ) and the side walls ( 24 ,  26 ) as well as the back wall ( 28 ). The privacy wall ( 20 ) extends upwardly from the water basin ( 14 ) and provides both privacy and a decorative element. In the wading pool ( 10 ), the privacy wall ( 20 ) has a plurality of privacy panels ( 21 ) attached to columns ( 23 ). The columns are echanically fastened into reinforcing beams ( 25 ) which provides structural integrity to properly hold teh columns ( 25 ) and also structural integrity to the bench ( 16 ) so that it will not cave in as people sit on it. The exact shape of the privacy wall ( 20 ) is not critical to the invention and many types of privacy walls ( 20 ) can be used without detracting from the invention. Also, although only one privacy wall ( 20 ) is shown on  FIG. 1 , the wading pool  10  can include more than one privacy wall ( 20 ). 
         [0049]    The decorative panels ( 18 ), the bench ( 16 ) and the privacy wall ( 20 ) can be made of wood or of any other suitable material. Such panels, benches and walls are well known in the art and will therefore not be further described. Also, covers ( 17 ) can be cut into the bench ( 16 ) to cover coolers ( 27 ) used for storing cold beverages and such when filled with ice. Some premium models could even have coolers ( 17 ) refrigerated as real refridgerators. 
         [0050]    The bench ( 16 ) is located above the water basin ( 14 ) and overlaps over the water basin ( 14 ) so as to cover the water inlet ( 47 ) and the drain ( 50 ). All the decorative panels ( 18 ), as well as the bench ( 16 ) and the privacy wall ( 20 ) are made of wood. However, the reader skilled in the art will appreciate any other suitable material could be used as long as it can withstand water and outside weather if the wading pool is located outdoors. 
         [0051]    The plumbing system includes a water inlet ( 47 ), and a water outlet ( 50 ). The water inlet ( 47 ) is connected to a filtration system (not shown) of the main pool ( 12 ). Alternatively, the water inlet ( 47 ) is connected to an independent filtration system. Methods and devices to connect an inlet to an existing water filtration system are known in the art and therefore will not be further described hereinbelow. The water inlet ( 47 ) comes in through the base ( 20 ) and uses any of a variety of commercially available nozzles, some of those nozzles even comprise a built-in lighting source. The water outlet ( 50 ) is merely a plugged hole taht is unplugged for drainage purposes such as when closing down the pool in the fall or for maintenance. The water flow coming from the water inlet ( 47 ) is selected to provide a predetermined discharge of water which will results in a waterfall flowing over the front wall ( 28 ). 
         [0052]    The reader skilled in the art will appreciate that a lighting system is optional and can take many alternative forms. 
         [0053]    Finally, the wading pool ( 10 ) can include an optional heating system (not shown in the drawings). The heating system is of a type well known in art and heats the water that is to be fed through the inlet ( 47 ). The heating system can be included into the wading pool ( 10 ) or, alternatively, if such a heating system is available for the main pool ( 12 ), the water flowing to the inlet ( 47 ) can pass through the heating system of the main pool ( 12 ) before reaching the inlet ( 47 ). The heating system can be switched on and off. 
         [0054]    In a specific example of implementation, the wading pool ( 10 ) is provided to customers in the form of a kit including all the components of the wading pool ( 10 ) and an instruction booklet including assembly instructions for the wading pool ( 10 ). The components of the wading pool ( 10 ) can be either permanently assembled or releasably assembled. In this last case, the wading pool ( 10 ) can be easily disassembled for maintenance or when the user moves from a house to another one, for example. 
         [0055]    In operation, the wading pool ( 10 ) has water coming through the water inlet ( 47 ), fills the basin ( 14 ), when the water level in the basin ( 14 ) reaches an upper limit of the front wall ( 30 ), water flows over and into the main pool ( 12 ). 
         [0056]    Typically, the water level in the wading pool ( 10 ) is between 5 and 15 centimetres high. However, many other water levels are within the scope of the invention. In a specific example of implementation, the water level in the wading pool ( 10 ) is substantially equal to 10 centimetres. This water level allows a user to suntan within the wading pool ( 10 ). In addition to allowing the waterfall effect of the water falling into the main pool ( 12 ), the front wall ( 30 ) allows a user to rest a head on top of the front wall ( 30 ) while laying on the back in the water basin ( 14 ). 
         [0057]    In a specific example of implementation, the water basin ( 14 ) is between 1 and 3 meters wide and between 1 and 3 meters long. However, other widths and lengths are within the scope of the invention. 
         [0058]    The reader skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations to the wading pool ( 10 ) can be made without detracting from the spirit of the invention. For example, the wading pool ( 10 ) could be used with an above-ground pool. In that case, the wading pool ( 10 ) needs to be supported by a structure such that the wading pool ( 10 ) is higher than a wall of the above-ground pool. The supporting structure can optionally be surrounded be walls such as to provide a storage area for a user. 
         [0059]    Although the wading pool ( 10 ) is substantially rectangular, the wading pool can take any shape, such as a circular shape, an oval shape and a polygonal shape, among others. In addition, all the components of the wading pool can be made of any suitable material, such as a polymer, for example. 
         [0060]    In a variant not shown in the drawings, decorative panels provided over the main pool ( 12 ) extend into the main pool ( 12 ), thereby providing guidance for the positioning of the wading pool ( 10 ) with respect to the main pool ( 12 ). 
         [0061]    In addition, the wading pool ( 10 ) can be provided with additional nozzles to allow the creation of a spa-type wading pool, while nozzles perpendicular to the base ( 22 ) allow the creation of fountains. 
         [0062]    As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
         [0063]    With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
         [0064]    Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.