Portable and convertible in-ground infant pool

Abstract

A portable and convertible in-ground infant pool includes a flexible inner cavity having a substantially water impervious base and substantially water impervious sidewall(s) and an outwardly projecting flange that extends from an upper sidewall rim. The base and sidewall(s) seat within a recess or cavity or hole, such as may be formed in beach sand. The flange seats on the beach or ground surface around the periphery of the cavity. Water is poured into the pool for infant play. When water is emptied from the pool, a cinching mechanism at or along the perimeter of the flange rim, when activated, permits the infant pool to be converted from a pool configuration to a pool-in-a bag or carryall.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable and convertible in-ground infant pool, comprising:
 a flexible inner cavity having a substantially water impervious base and one or more substantially water impervious sidewalls, said sidewall(s) defining an upper sidewall rim;   a flange projecting outwardly from the upper sidewall rim; and   a cinching mechanism associated with the flange, wherein upon pulling the cinching mechanism the infant pool is converted from a pool configuration into a pool-in-a-bag carryall configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , further comprising a plug incorporated into the base. 
     
     
         3 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , wherein the cinching mechanism is routed through a plurality of apertures through the flange, the plurality being spaced apart along or near a perimeter of the flange. 
     
     
         4 . The infant pool of  claim 3 , wherein the cinching mechanism comprises a cord and an adjustable locking mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one attachment point coupled to the flange. 
     
     
         6 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , further comprising at least two attachment points coupled to the flange. 
     
     
         7 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , further comprising a hook coupled to the flange. 
     
     
         8 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , further comprising an outer covering disposed over undersides of the flexible inner cavity and the flange. 
     
     
         9 . The infant pool of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible inner cavity and the flange are formed from a material selected from the group consisting of: marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl, vinyl and other types of plastic-based materials. 
     
     
         10 . A pool-in-a-bag carryall, comprising:
 a lower section that converts to a flexible inner cavity of an infant pool; and   an upper section that converts to an outwardly projecting flange of the infant pool, wherein the lower section and the upper section are attached at an interface to form a carryall receptacle.   
     
     
         11 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 10 , further comprising a cinching mechanism coupled to the upper section. 
     
     
         12 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 10 , further comprising plug incorporated into the lower section. 
     
     
         13 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of attachment points attached to the upper section. 
     
     
         14 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 13 , further comprising a hook coupled to at least one of the plurality of attachment points. 
     
     
         15 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 10 , wherein the lower section is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of: marine canvas, acrylic, PVC-coated polyester vinyl, vinyl and other types of plastic-based materials. 
     
     
         16 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 10 , further comprising infant toys contained within the carryall receptacle. 
     
     
         17 . The pool-in-a-bag carryall of  claim 11 , wherein the cinching mechanism is routed through a plurality of apertures through the upper section.