Instantaneously Inflating Pool Floats And Toys

Abstract

A self-inflating beach toy that expands when a valve is opened and deflates when a second valve is opened is disclosed. The toy is filled with extremely light, compressible foam that rapidly expands when a valve is opened. Two one-way air valves are provided: an inflation valve and a deflation valve. These valves enable the rapid and reliable inflation and deflation of the toy. The toy is provided in a broad variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, including wading pools, floating mattresses, and flotation rings.

Claims

1. A self-inflatable pool or beach toy comprising: (a) an outer shell; and (b) one way inflation and deflation valves

2. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer shell is made of vinyl and is filled with light, compressible, open-cell foam.

3. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein the compressible foam filled within said outer shell expands when the valve is opened.

4. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein two said one way air valves, said inflation one way valve and said deflation valve, enable the rapid and reliable inflation and deflation of the toy.

5. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said self-inflatable toy can be a rectangular mattress.

6. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said self-inflatable toy can be a circular wading pool.

7. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said self-inflatable toy can be a rectangular wading pool.

8. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said self-inflatable toy can be a floatation ring similar to an inner tube.

9. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein the floating mattress, circular wading pool, rectangular wading pool, and floatation ring are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material that is compressible and lightweight, such as foam rubber

10. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said inflation valve and deflation valves are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable material, such as plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum.

11. The self-inflatable toy claimed in claim 1, wherein said toy is provided in a broad variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.

12. A process for self-inflation of the pool or beach toy comprising the following steps: (a) opening the inflation valve; (b) compressed foam within the toy decompresses rapidly by drawing in air through the inflation valve; (c) closing the inflation valve when the toy is fully inflated; (d) filling the upper cavity with water if the toy is a wading pool; (e) for storing the toy, open the deflation valve; (f) compressing the toy to expel the sir through the deflation valve; and (g) Close the deflation valve.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To further clarify various aspects of some example embodiments of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawing. It is appreciated that the drawing depicts only illustrated embodiments of the invention, and is, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top view of the first embodiment, displaying the floating mattress.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the second embodiment, displaying the circular wading pool, the upper cavity, and one-way air valves.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the third embodiment, displaying a rectangular wading pool, the upper cavity, and one-way air valves.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view of fourth embodiment, displaying a floatation ring, the inflation valve, and deflation valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The embodiments of the present disclosure, described below, are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present disclosure.

[0024] The following embodiments and the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form part of this disclosure, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. However, these aspects are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention can be employed, and the subject invention is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments, the present invention provides self-inflatable pool or beach toys that eliminate the need of an air pump to inflate or deflate the toy. The purpose of the invention is to provide a user friendly, easy to inflate or deflate pool or beach toy.

[0026] This section summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure, and briefly introduces some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions in this section, as well as in the abstract or the title of this description, may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of this section, the abstract, and the title. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, nor imply any limitations.

[0027] Referring to the invention now in more detail, the invention is directed to a self-inflating beach toy. The toy is filled with extremely light, compressible foam that rapidly expands when a valve is opened. Two one-way air valves 1 are provided: an inflation valve 1a, and a deflation valve 1b. These valves enable the rapid and reliable inflation and deflation of the toy. The toy is provided in broad variety of sizes, shapes, and colors.

[0028] In first embodiment of the present invention, the invention discloses a rectangular floating mattress 2, as shown in FIG. 1. The second embodiment includes a circular wading pool 3, as shown in FIG. 2. The third embodiment provides a rectangular wading pool 4 as described in FIG. 3, and the fourth embodiment includes a flotation ring 5 similar to an inner tube shown, as shown in FIG. 4. Several alternate embodiments, in the various forms of traditional inflatable toys, are contemplated.

[0029] To use the first, second, third, and fourth embodiments, the adult user opens the inflation valve 1a. The compressed foam within the toy rapidly decompresses, drawing in air through the inflation valve 1a. When the toy is fully inflated, the adult user closes the inflation valve 1a and, if the toy is a wading pool, the adult user may fill the upper cavity 6 with water. When ready to store the toy, the adult user open the deflation valve 1b, compresses the toy such that the air is expelled through the deflation valve 1b, and closes the deflation valve 1b.

[0030] The floating mattress 2, the circular wading pool 3, the rectangular wading pool 4, and the floatation ring 5 are preferably manufactured from a flexible, durable material that is air tight, such as plastic, and are filled with a flexible, durable material that is compressible and lightweight, such as foam rubber. The inflation valve 1a and the deflation valve 1b are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material, such as plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum.

[0031] The self-inflatable toy includes a vinyl outer shell filled with open-cell foam and an inflation and deflation valve. As the one-way inlet is opened, the open-cell foam expands as it meets air to inflate the device. Once inflated, the valve is closed. After use, the outlet valve is opened. The user squeezes, rolls, and folds the device to the desired fold and closes the outlet valve for storage, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

[0032] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention.

[0033] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.