WO1989011316A1

WO1989011316A1 - Recreational water slide/play pool

Info

Publication number: WO1989011316A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/000664
Authority: WO
Inventors: Timothy J. Cawley; Stephen E. Schneider; Richard F. Morrison
Original assignee: Kransco
Priority date: 1988-05-27
Filing date: 1989-02-16
Publication date: 1989-11-30
Also published as: AU3197389A

Abstract

A recreational water toy (10) defined by a combination water slide/play pool includes an elongate, flexible, water-impervious sheet forming a water slide (14) which is interconnected to a collapsible pool (12). The pool (12) is defined by fluid-responsive expandable chambers (30) substantially encircling and connected with the bottom surface (13) of the pool (12). A ramp (36) is provided as a rim member of the pool and is connected to the water slide (14) to provide a transition between the water slide (14) and the interior of the pool (12). The water slide (14) is provided with an elongate tube (18), integrally formed therein, which is connected by means of the ramp to serve as a source of make-up water for the pool (12).

Description

RECREATIONAL WATER SLIDE/PLAY POOL

Background and Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to toys and recreational products, and more particularly to a novel recreational water slide/play pool combination. The present invention is directed to a toy which combines an elongate, ground-positionable water slide with a collapsible pool so that children may body-plane along the slide and be transferred smoothly and safely into the pool.

Water slides are toys which have been enjoyed by children for many years, and typically take the form of an elongate sheet of water-impervious material stretched out along the ground and covered with a layer of water to provide a slick or slippery surface. A child runs toward the water slide, and by suitably jumping thereonto, may body-plane along the length of the device to enjoy an exciting as well as cooling ride. An example of a typical water slide is disclosed in Carrier (U.S. Patent No. 2,982,547), which shows a water slide having a duct or tube integrally formed along one longitudinal edge thereof connected to a supply of water. The tube is provided with a series of small apertures along its length for dispensing water onto the top surface of the water slide to provide a slippery layer.

It is also very popular for children to use small, collapsible swimming and bathing pools for play and enjoyment in the summertime, in particular. Such pools generally are constructed with an inflatable rim which, upon the introduction of a fluid such as air or water, expands and forms a barrier defining a pool enclosure for holding water. Play pools come in various sizes, and are generally used for purposes of play, and as a means to escape the heat of the summer. These pools are entered by the child stepping over the side or rim, and there is no presently known way of obtaining entry into the pool by means of a sliding action along the ground.

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a recreational water slide/play pool combination which utilizes an elongate, flexible, water-impervious sheet forming a water slide joined to a play pool which includes an upwardly-extending rim forming the sides of the pool. The water slide is joined to the pool so that a child may body-plane along the slide and be transported relatively smoothly and safely into the pool for excitement and enjoyment. By providing a ground- engaged water slide, in conjunction with a collapsible pool, a relatively safe device is provided compared to upwardly-inclined slides.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a recreational water slide/play pool, as described above, in which a transition means or ramp is positioned adjacent that side of the pool which is connected to the water slide. The ramp provides an incline facilitating ingress of a sliding child into the pool. It can be appreciated that if a ramp were not provided, the rim of the pool would present an obstruction to pool entry by the sliding child. The ramp facilitates the bod -planing action along the water slide into the pool.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recreational water slide/play pool, as described above, in which the water slide is provided with an elongate duct, extending along a longitudinal edge of the slide, provided with an exit end for replenishing water from a source into the pool proper.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an -inflatable sled which may be used by a child to facilitate body-planing along the water slide. The sled includes a pair of opposed, externally-positioned handles, for gripping by the child, so that the chest and abdomen are supported thereon, to enhance gliding along the water slide, over the transition means or ramp into the pool.

These and additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood after a consideration of the brief description of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Brief Description of the Drawings Pig. 1 is a top, perspective view of a recreational water toy defined by the water slide/pool of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a top view of the present invention;

Fig. 2A is a view of a portion of a water supply duct;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the end of the water slide with a fastener;

Fig. 4 is a view of the corner with a U-shaped anchor;

Fig. 5 is a view of a corner of the pool, with portions broken away;

Fig. 6 is a view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a view taken along lines 7-7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a view of the corner of the pool;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of a sled for use with the water slide/pool; and

Fig. 10 is a view taken along lines 10-10 of Fig. 9.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

As stated at the outset, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a recreational water toy defined by a water slide/play pool combination which integrates a water slide with a relatively small, collapsible play pool. To provide an interconnection between a water slide and a pool, it is necessary to include a transition, and that is accomplished by a ramp. These details are shown in the attached drawings, and with reference directed initially to Figs.1 and 2, a recreational water slide/play pool or water toy in accordance with the present invention is generally indicated at 10. The water toy includes two basic components, namely, a collapsible pool, generally indicated at 12, and a water slide, generally indicated at 14. As shown in Fig. 1, water slide 14 is an elongate, flexible, water-impervious sheet of rectangular dimension which is extended along the ground. The water slide may be approximately 20-30 feet in length, and preferably is made of low-density polyethylene. The sheet forming the water slide is defined by a first or upper surface and a second or bottom surface, which are flat and water impervious. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, one elongate edge of the water slide is folded over and suitably sealed (as by heat sealing) to provide an elongate, water-transporting duct or tube 18. At a first end 18a of the tube, suitable means are provided for coupling to a hose 20 which, in turn, is connected to a source of water supply. It will be noted that tube 18 is provided with a plurality of small orifices 22 which eject water upwardly in small jets so as to splash onto the first or upper surface of water slide 14 to provide a layer of water.

It will also be noted that tube 18 has a front end 24 which extends into the pool, in a manner to be hereinafter described, so that water may be continuously dispensed into the pool to replenish water splashed out of the pool by entry of sliding children. As shown in Fig. 2A, a flow restriction 23 is provided between a pair of heat seals 23a, 23b, so that a low flow rate of water is transferred into the pool.

Continuing with a further description of water slide 14, it will be noted that the ends of the water slide furthest from the pool are secured into the ground surface by a two-part anchor means illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. Specifically, the anchor means is defined by a first elongate clip or eyelet, generally indicated at 26, through which a first end 16a of the water slide is inserted. By suitably rotating clip 26, an end portion of the water slide is rolled or wrapped around the clip. Then, with the end of the water slide placed against the ground, and clip 26 positioned as shown in Fig. 4, a generally U-shaped anchor 28 is positioned so that its legs extend through the free openings of the clip, as shown, for engagement into the ground. The anchor is pushed into the ground so that its top component is parallel to the ground and against the rolled-up end of the water slide. The water slide is shown with its ends mounted into the ground in Figs. 1 and 2.

Now, returning to Fig. 1, it can be seen that pool 12 is formed with an upwardly-extending rim forming the sides of the pool. The rim is defined by fluid-interconnected chambers 30, 32 and 34, and a transition means or ramp means 35, also adapted to be filled with a fluid, serves to provide a transition region between the body-planing track of water slide 14 and the pool. It will also be noted that pool 12 is provided with a bottom surface 13, to which each of the aforementioned chambers, as well as the ramp means, are connected, as by heat welding.

Concerning the fluid-responsive expandable chambers, attention is directed to Fig. 5 which is a view, with portions cut away, showing chamber 30 and portions of ramp means 36. As also shown in Fig. 6, ramp means 36 includes a first chamber 38 positioned above a second chamber 40. A fluid-introduction valve 42 is shown for directing fluid into first chamber 38. The first and second chambers are created as a result of an elongate heat weld indicated at 44. As shown in Fig. 5, heat weld 44 does not extend along the entire length of ramp means 36, and therefore fluid introduced through valve 42 will be transferred not only into first chamber 38 but also into second chamber 40. As shown in Fig. 6, ramp means 36 is provided so that it forms a rear rim to the pool, with the top surface 36a_ being disposed beneath the upper surfaces, such as surface 30a of chamber 30. The rear portion of chamber 30 (as well as chamber 34) is formed with an incline 30b, enhancing the inclined ramp effect.

The ramp means provides an incline, measured from the upper surface of sheet 16 into the pool. While the ramp means is shown comprising a pair of generally cylindrical chambers, such as first and second chambers 38, 40, respectively, it should be appreciated that any type of inclination relative to the pool from sheet 16 is desirable. That inclination provides smooth transition from sheet 16 into the pool.

As shown in both Figs. 5 and 6, an elongate stretch of material 46 is connected by means of a heat weld along its upper edge 46a_ to first chamber 38. The other edge 46b is connected to the bottom surface of the pool, and the connection just described biases or pulls the ramp means down in a forward direction, somewhat, to provide the aforementioned inclination. Supports, such as shown at 47, interconnect ramp means 36 and the rear portion of chambers 30 and 34. Further, first chamber 38 is provided with an aperture 38a. sealed along its circumference which permits entry therethrough of duct 18 so that it extends into the pool as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The water slide is secured to the pool as shown in Fig. 6. Specifically, sheet 16 of the water slide has a forward portion thereof doubled rearwardly, and a suitable stitch or sew 48 is taken along the width of the water slide to secure it to an extending tab or flap 50 extending from the adjacent end of pool 12. As mentioned previously, chambers 30, 32 and 34 are fluid- interconnected, and a corner showing the interconnection is illustrated in Fig. 8. Specifically, that figure shows the corner between chambers 30 and 32, with a valve 52 shown for introducing fluid into the chambers. Fluid may be introduced into chambers 30 and transferred via a passage 54 between support members 56, 58 into chamber 32. Similarly, fluid is transferred from chamber 32 into chamber 34.

A useful component of the present invention is a small, ^* inflatable sled shown in Figs. 9 and 10. Specifically, a sled, generally indicated at 60, is defined by an enclosed chamber having an outline defining a pair of laterally-opposed, external handles 64. The sled may be formed of vinyl material, suitably heat-sealed together along its outer edges and also heat-sealed along lines 66-72 so as to define interconnected chambers 74-82 (see Fig. 10). Additionally, heat seals are provided at 84, 86 adjacent handles 62, 64 to provide fluid chambers, thereby defining the volume of the handles.

Use and Operation of the Water Slide/Play Pool

Use and enjoyment of the water slide/play pool of the present invention will now be described. Initially, pool 12 and water slide 14 are placed so that the water slide is extended out its full length. The fluid-responsive expandable chambers 30, 32 and 34 as well as the chambers of ramp means 36 are suitably inflated through valves 52, 42, respectively. The inflation may occur through introduction of air, or by using suitably positioned tubes or valves, the chambers may be filled from a collapsed position by introduction of water. In any case, the chambers and ramp means are filled so that the pool has a defined periphery or rim. Next, the interior of the pool, above its surface 13, may be filled with water. With a suitable connection of tube 18 to a supply of water, and with the end of the tube being extended through ramp means 36, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, water traveling along the tube is discharged through orifices 22 as well as through end 24. The water discharged through orifices 22 creates a water layer on sheet 16 of the water slide, thereby providing a very slick surface. With the heat seals and welds providing a passage as shown in Fig. 2A, a small amount of water may continuously be dispensed into the pool to replace that which has become splashed out. Also, the upstream ends of water slide 14 are secured to the ground as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

With the water slide/play pool of the present invention in operative position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a child or youngster may grab onto the extended handles 62, 64 of inflated sled 60 and approaching at a run toward the upstream end of the water slide, may leap onto the slickened surface and body-plane down its length as shown in Fig. 1. As the sled approaches ramp means 36, it engages that inclined structure and guides the sled and its rider into the pool. Figs. 5 and 6 show the inclined nature of ramp means 36, and it can be appreciated that the inclination provides a smooth and steady transfer from the water slide into the water in pool 12. Alternatively, a sled is not used and the individual child body-planes without aid along the track surface of the water slide, over the ramp, and into the pool. An enjoyable and exhilarating ride is provided.

The pool preferably may be made of vinyl, and the water slide of polyethylene, although other suitable materials could be used.

While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

IT IS CLAIMED AND DESIRED TO SECURE BY LETTERS PATENT:

1. A recreational water toy comprising: an elongate, flexible, water-impervious sheet forming a water slide for body planing; a pool including an upwardly-extending rim forming the sides of the pool, the sheet extending toward the pool; and means for joining the water slide with the pool and over a portion of the rim of the pool.

2. A recreational water toy comprising: a body-planing track having a flat, smooth, water- impervious first surface and a flat second surface; a collapsible pool having a bottom surface and a fluid- responsive expandable chamber means substantially encircling and connected with the bottom surface; and means for joining the body-planing track and the collapsible pool, including ramp means connected to the pool and to which the body-planing track is fastened.

3. The toy of claim 2, wherein the ramp means includes a surface providing an inclined transition from the body-planing track into the pool, thereby to facilitate entry of an individual sliding along the track into the pool.

4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the ramp means is defined by at least one fluid-responsive expandable chamber which forms a rear rim portion of the pool.

5. The toy of claim 4, wherein the ramp means is defined by at least a part of fluid-responsive chambers dimensioned to extend to a height less than the height of the chambers which define the rim.

6. The toy of claim 5, wherein a water-transferring tube is secured to the track and extends into the pool.

7. The toy of claim 6, wherein the water-transferring tube extends through the ramp means.

8. The toy of claim 7, wherein the ramp means is in separate fluid communication from the expandable chamber means.