GB2037580A

GB2037580A - Inflatable pool or tank or play article

Info

Publication number: GB2037580A
Application number: GB7929814A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: DANCO PLASTICS Ltd
Current assignee: DANCO PLASTICS Ltd
Priority date: 1978-12-20
Filing date: 1979-08-28
Publication date: 1980-07-16

Abstract

An inflatable pool or tank 1 has a base 2 with at least a flexible perimeter portion, and an inflatable perimeter wall 7 attached to the flexible base portion such that, in use, the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of liquid within the pool or tank, making the pool adaptable for various sizes of children who may readily sit on the wall. For use as a play article, the base is also inflatable so as to provide an article which doubles, when not used as a pool, as a bouncing toy. Large scale pools may be employed as swimming pools or water purification tanks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Inflatable pool or tank or play article, such as a paddling pool This invention relates to an inflatable pool or tank or play article such as a paddling pool.

Inflatable paddling pools are well known. Atypical pool will be formed from sheets of plastics material such as P.V.C. which are welded together. Such a paddling pool has a flexible base sheet attached to an inflatable perimeter wall. This wall is usually circular as seen in plan, and has a plurality of inflatable sections when seen in elevation. The height of the side wall is therefore predetermined, since a minimum degree of inflation is necessary to erect the pool and any further inflation does not extend the height of the side walls. If this wall of this paddling pool is to be of use as a seat for children of various ages and therefore heights, it will only be of optimum use for those children who are able to sit comfortably that height of wall.

Accordingly the present invention seeks to provide an inflatable article in which the height of perimeter wall may be varied.

Accordingly there is provided an inflatable play article comprising a base joined to an inflatable perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being so joined to the base that water within the play article displaces the perimeter wall upwardly such that the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of water within the play article.

The present invention further seeks to provide such a play article which is capable of doubling when not used as a pool, as an inflatable toy for children's bouncing games.

Accordingly, the base of the inflatable play article above defined may itself be inflatable thereby presenting when inflated a bouncing toy or like bouncing play article. In a preferred embodiment the base comprises a separate inflatable central portion and a plurality of radially extending inflatable segments. In the preferred embodiments the base segments are in interior communication with each other and are inflatable through a single associated inlet valve. The base is conveniently provided with an outlet for the pool water.

A second inflatable perimeter wall may be joined to the first inflatable perimeter wall. The perimeter walls may be in interior communication with each other and may be inflatable through a single associated inlet valve.

The inflatable play article first defined above, has been preceded by discussion of childrens pools.

Nevertheless, the play article may be on a scale suitable for adults.

It is also envisaged that a water storage tank may be provided comprising a base joined to an inflatable perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being so joined to a flexible perimeter portion of the base that water within the tank displaces the perimeter wall upwardly such that the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of water with the tank.

Such a tank may have a flexible perimeter base attached to a rigid ground portion of the base of more durable material. Such a tank may incorporate a step ladder and receive water purifying equipment.

The inflatable play article or inflatable pool/tank may be formed of synthetics plastics material e.g.

Terylene (registered trade mark) or P.V.C. (polyvinylchloride) and this may be coated with a reinforcing surface coating for example with polyurethane.

When the inflatable pool is employed as a tank for water purification, the tank may be provided with a step ladder which is extendable as the perimeter wall rises. A rope ladder would be suitable. Alternatively the ladder may be rigid, but have telescoping parts and means for securement to suitable fastening loops formed on the perimeter wall. The tank may also be adapted to receive water purifying equipment by the provision of securing means on the inwardly directed surface of the perimeter wall.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 shows schematically and in plan view, an inflatable play article according to a first embodiment; Fig. 2 shows schematically and in side elevation the whole play article of Fig. 1 inflated for use as a bouncing play article, Fig. 3 shows a schematically and in side elevation the play article of Fig. 1 with only the perimeter wall inflated and floating on liquid within the article for use as a paddling pool; Fig. 4 is a view similar to that of Fig. 1 according to a second embodiment in which there are two inflatable peripheral walls; Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 of the second embodiment; and Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 3 of the second embodiment.

In Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown an inflatable play article 1 formed of synthetic plastics material e.g.Terylene (registered trade mark) reinforced with a polyurethane coating. The base 2 is a flexible composite comprising a central hexagonal area 3 and six radially extending segments 4 each formed by sheet material bonded at the edges thereof to define inflatable envelopes. The area 3 and segments 4 communicate through internal passages from the area 3 to segment 4 whereby the whole base can be inflated, as shown in Fig. 2, by means of the air inlet 5 (Fig. 1). A water outlet is provided in the base at 6 which is closable by an integral plug in conventional manner.

Base 2 is joined to a single inflatable perimeter wall 7 having a separate air inlet valve 8. The single perimeter wall 7 is so joined to the base 2 that water within the play article 1 displaces the perimeter wall 7 upwardly such that the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of water within the play article 1 (as shown in Fig. 3). The height of the water within the play article is shown by broken line 9 in Fig. 3.

This play article is capable of doubling when not used as a pool, as an inflatable toy for children's bouncing games as shown in Fig. 2.

When the base 2 of the inflatable play article 1 is inflated as shown in Fig. 2 it provides a baby bouncer or like bouncing play article.

The inflatable play article 1 is described above in relation of Figs. 1 to 3 is suitable for use as a children's pool. The dimensions may be increased on a scale making the pool suitable for adults.

Alternatively, the article of Figs. 1 to 3 may be employed as a water storage tank. Such a tank may have a flexible perimeter base attached to a rigid ground portion of the base of more durable material.

Such a tank may incorporate a step ladder and receive water purifying equipment.

When the pool is to provide a tank, the tank will incorporate an extendable ladder and the perimeter wall is adapted to secure the ladder by having loops integral with the material forming the outwardly directed surface of the perimeter wall 7. Likewise, the inwardly directed directed surface of the perimeter wall 7 can be provided with securing means, such as loops, adapted to receive and secure water purifying equipment.

The embodiment which is a play article doubling as a paddling or swimming pool and a bouncing article is shown as having a perimeter wall constituted by a single tubular portion. Larger scale pools or storage tanks may have a perimeter wall constituted by several segments. In each case, when water or other liquid is placed in the pool or tank, the wall will be supported at a height determined by the volume of water or liquid within the pool.

Large pools may be provided with connections for guy ropes which pegged to the ground will increase the stability of the walls.

The second embodiment (Figs. 4 to 6) is identical to the first embodiment (Figs. 1 to 3) except that there is a second inflatable wall 10 joined to the first inflatable wall 7. The second wall may have its own air inlet valve 11 or the first and second walls may be in interior communication with each other so as to be inflatable through a single air inlet valve located in either the first or the second wall.

The second embodiment is considered suitable for use as a play article as mentioned in the second preceding paragraph but larger scale pools or storage tanks need generally have a single perimeter wall.

If desired, more than two peripheral walls could be used in the second embodiment.

Claims

1. An inflatable play article comprising a base joined to an inflatable perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being so joined to the base, that in use, water within the play article displaces the perimeter wall upwardly such that the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of water within the play article.

2. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the base of the inflatable play article is inflatable thereby presenting when inflated, a bouncing play article.

3. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the base comprises a separate inflatable central portion and a plurality of radially extending inflatable segments.

4. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the base segments are in interior communi cation with each other and are inflatable through a single associated inlet valve.

5. An inflatable play article as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the base has an outlet four the pool water.

6. An inflatable play article as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5, comprising a second inflatable perimeter wall joined to the first inflatable perimeter wall.

7. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the first and second perimeter walls are in interior communication with each other and are inflatable through a single associated inlet valve.

8. An inflatable play article as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the base and perimeter wall or walls are formed of synthetic plastics material.

9. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the synthetic plastics material is reinforced with a surface coating.

10. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the material is Terylene (registered trade mark).

11. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the Terylene (registered trade mark) is coated with polyurethane.

12. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the material is polyvinylchloride.

13. An inflatable play article as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the polyvinylchloride material is reinforced with a surface coating.

14. An inflatable play article arranged, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. An inflatable pool or tank comprising a base joined to an inflatable perimeter wall, the perimeter wall being so joined to a flexible perimeter portion of the base that water or other liquid within the pool or tank, in use, displaces the perimeter wall upwardly such that the height of the perimeter wall is determined by the volume of liquid within the pool or tank.

16. An inflatable pool or tank as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the flexible perimeter base is attached to a rigid or semi-rigid ground portion of the base of more durable material.

17. An inflatable tank as claimed in either Claim 15 or Claim 16, further comprising a step ladder extendable as the perimeter wall rises and adapted to receive water purifying equipment by the provision of the perimeter wall.

18. An inflatable pool or tank as claimed in any one of Claims 15, to 17, wherein the perimeter portion of the base and the inflatable perimeter walls are made of synthetic plastics material.

19. An inflatable pool or tank as claimed in Claim 18, wherein the synthetic plastics material is Terylene (registered trade mark) or P.V.C. (polyvinylchloride).

20. An inflatable pool tank as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the synthetics plastics material is reinforced with a surface coating.

21. An inflatable pool or tank as claimed in Claim 20, wherein the surface coating is of polyurethane.

22. An inflatable tank, arranged constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.