WATER EXIT DEVICE FOR ANIMALS

Abstract

An exit device including a body having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is configured to extend above a surface of water in a water basin and the bottom portion is configured to extend below the surface of the water, the top portion and bottom portion forming a back surface configured to abut against a wall of the water basin and a sloped surface configured to extend into the water providing a ramp from below the water to approximately a top of the wall of the water basin. The exit device allows animals to exit the water basin even when the wall is too high for the animal to climb out. In some cases, the exit device will allow water to pass therethrough such as a situation where the exit device is provided to a swimming pool in front of a skimmer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/426,266 filed Nov. 24, 2016 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to an exit device, and more particularly to an exit device to help animals exit a water basin, pond, swimming pool or the like.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Outdoor swimming pools are often subjected to undesirable visits by animals of various types. In particular, some animals are attracted by the large water body and may enter into the water, either intentionally or unintentionally, without considering how they will get out. Once an animal enters a swimming pool, it can become trapped because the upper side walls of the swimming pool are too steep and smooth for the animal to grasp and climb. The animal will sometimes tire and drift with the water current into the pool skimmer. Escaping the pool water through the pool skimmer well opening is difficult for the animal due to the incoming water current. Oftentimes the animal will drown in the bottom of the skimmer basket. This is both sad for the animals as well as the pool owner who has to empty the pool filter containing the dead animals.

[0004] Some devices or systems to assist animals, such as frogs, in exiting swimming pools, exist but these known devices or systems have various problems. For example, in some cases a platform to allow exit is located on the periphery of a usually very large pool. An animal stuck in the pool may not swim or drift onto the platform. Rather, an animal is more likely to drift with the water current into the pool skimmer, remain trapped therein and never have access to the platform.

[0005] In other cases, the platform may be too low and require an animal to jump up onto the higher pool deck. In this case, the platform may be positioned at water level and a vertical jump may still be necessary for the animal to reach the safety of the pool deck.

[0006] Further, another potential problem with a platform is that the water level vary (e.g. the water level lowers to below the platform during dry weather and/or rises above the platform during rainy weather). If this happens, the platform may be useless to animals trapped in the pool.

[0007] In other devices, an exit ladder may be provided in the skimmer itself. However, with these devices, the animal may already be too tired to climb and the skimmer opening can be too small.

[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved water exit device for animals that overcomes at least some of these problems.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure relates to a water exit device for animals for use in a water basin, such as a pond, swimming pool or the like, that facilitates or allows animals to exit the water basin, the water basin having a wall or edge circumscribing the water basin that is typically above the level of the water and may be difficult for an animal that is swimming in the water to reach.

[0010] According to an aspect herein, there is provided an exit device including a body having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is configured to extend above a surface of water in a water basin and the bottom portion configured to extend below the surface of the water, the top portion and bottom portion forming a back surface configured to abut against a wall of the water basin and a sloped surface configured to extend into the water providing a ramp from below the water to approximately a top of the wall of the water basin.

[0011] In some cases, the exit device may further include an attachment mechanism configured to allow attachment to the wall of the water basin.

[0012] In this case or in other cases, the water basin may include a secondary water basin where the secondary water basin is connected to the water basin by an aperture in the wall of the water basin, and the exit device is configured to cover the aperture. In one case, the water basin may be a swimming pool and the secondary water basin and the aperture may be parts of a pool skimmer.

[0013] In some cases, the exit device may be made of a porous polymer material to provide for passage of water through the exit device, for example, between the swimming pool and the pool skimmer. Further, the exit device may also inhibit or prevent the passage of some non-water materials between, for example, the swimming pool and the skimmer.

[0014] According to another aspect herein, there is provided a system for exiting a water basin, the system including: an exit device having a ramp; and an attachment mechanism, wherein the exit device is attachable to a wall of a water basin via the attachment mechanism and the exit device is configured to fit adjacent to an aperture in a wall of the water basin, the exit device extending above and below a surface of water in the water basin and along the wall of the water basin such that the exit device substantially covers the aperture within the wall, the ramp extending from the wall of the water basin into the water basin to provide a surface for an animal to climb to exit the water.

[0015] In some cases, the water basin may be a swimming pool and the aperture may be a part of or provide access to a pool skimmer.

[0016] According to yet another aspect herein, there is provided a method of installing an exit device in a water basin, the method including: attaching an attachment mechanism to a wall of a water basin; and releasably attaching the exit device to the attachment mechanism, wherein the exit device comprises a ramp that extends above and below a surface of water in the water basin and along the wall of the water basin such that the exit device substantially covers an aperture within the wall, the ramp extending from the wall into the water basin to provide a surface for an animal to climb to exit the water basin.

[0017] In some cases, the water basin may be a swimming pool and the aperture may be a part of or provide access to a pool skimmer.

[0018] Other aspects and features will be apparent on a reading of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an exit device according to one of the embodiments described herein;

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 3 is a schematic back view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0024] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0025] FIG. 6 is a photographic image of a front view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIG. 7 is a photographic image of a side view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0027] FIG. 8 is a photographic image of a top view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0028] FIG. 9 is a photographic image of a back view of the exit device of FIG. 1;

[0029] FIGS. 10A to 10D are schematic views of a method of installing the exit device of FIG. 1; and

[0030] FIGS. 11A to 11D are photographic images of a method of installing the exit device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Generally, there is provided an exit device (sometimes called an "exit ramp") to help an animal escape a water basin. The water basin may be a pond, pool or other water feature that may be part of a residential or commercial establishment. In particular, the water basin may be a man-made water feature having a circulation system including a skimmer. In some embodiments, the exit ramp is intended to help small animals exit a swimming pool. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein can be scaled to provide an exit ramp sized to help either smaller animals (e.g. insects, snakes, frogs, chipmunks, squirrels, and the like) or larger animals (e.g. cats, dogs, groundhogs, and the like). In one case, the exit device may be configured for animals that weigh .about.30 pounds or less.

[0032] Now referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, there is described an exit device 100 according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In this case, the exit device 100 has a ramp shape but it will be understood that other shapes including tiered/stepped or the like may also be effective.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a schematic front view of one embodiment of exit ramp 100. According to this embodiment, exit ramp 100 comprises a top portion 102, a bottom potion 104, a sloped surface 106, a back surface 108 (see FIG. 2) and a bottom surface 110 (see also FIG. 2). Exit ramp 100 may also comprise angled surfaces 112 and 114.

[0034] Top portion 102 refers to a portion of exit ramp 100 extending out of water 201 of water basin 200 (e.g. above surface 204 of water 201; see FIGS. 10D and 11D) and bottom portion 104 refers to a potion of exit ramp 100 extending into water 201 of water basin 200 (e.g. below surface 204 of water 201; see FIGS. 10D and 11D). Top portion 102 and bottom portion 104 can be sized similarly or can vary in size, particularly in width. As shown in FIGS. 1-9, top portion 102 may be substantially smaller (e.g. narrower) than bottom portion 104. In other embodiments of exit ramp 100, top portion 102 and bottom portion 104 can be similarly sized or top portion 102 can be larger (e.g. wider) than bottom portion 104.

[0035] Top portion 102 and bottom portion 104 co-operate to provide sloped surface 106 (sometimes called a "ramp"). In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-9, sloped surface 106 extends from above surface 204 of water 201 (see again FIGS. 10D and 11D) vertically down below surface 204 of water 201 within water basin 200. Sloped surface 106 also extends from an edge 206 of a side wall 208 of water basin 200 into water basin 200. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-11, sloped surface 106 extends from side wall 208 of swimming pool 200 into a swimming area (not shown) of swimming pool 200.

[0036] Although sloped surface 106 is shown in FIGS. 1-9 as being a planar surface (see FIG. 2), other shapes or combinations of shapes are within the scope of this disclosure. For example, sloped surface 106 may comprise several surfaces (e.g. a tiered or stair-like structure) that co-operate to extend from side wall 208 of water basin 200 and provide for animals to exit water basin 200. It is intended that sloped surface 106 provides a means for an animal to climb from within water 201 of water basin 200 to a solid surface surrounding water basin 200 (e.g. a pool deck) beyond edge 206.

[0037] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-11, it is intended that sloped surface 106 is of sufficient roughness to provide traction for an animal to climb from bottom portion 104 of exit ramp 100 (e.g. from water 201 within water basin 200) to the top portion 102 of exit ramp 100 (e.g. to the edge 206 surrounding water basin 200). It should be noted that other embodiments contemplated herein do not require sloped surface 106 to provide sufficient traction for an animal to climb from bottom portion 104 of the exit ramp 100 to top portion 102 of the exit ramp 100.

[0038] FIG. 3 is a schematic back view of exit ramp 100. Back surface 108 also extends from above the surface of water (not shown) within the water basin 200 vertically down below the surface of water within the water basin 200. When exit ramp 100 is positioned within water basin 200, back surface 108 is adjacent to side wall 208 of the water basin 200 (see FIGS. 10A-D and 11A-D). It is intended that back surface 108 provides support to an animal climbing sloped surface 106. As the animal climbs sloped surface 106, back surface 108 contacts at least a portion of side wall 208 of water basin 200. The structural rigidity of exit ramp 100 is such that exit ramp 100 supports the animal.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of exit ramp 100. While base surface 110 is shown as being a planar surface, other shapes or combinations of shapes are within the scope of this disclosure. Base surface 110 is intended to be submerged in water 201 when exit ramp 100 is installed (e.g. attached, affixed, coupled, connected, etc.) on or to side wall 208 or any other portion of water basin 200 (e.g. floor, steps or stairs) or a solid surface surrounding water basin 200 (e.g. a pool deck) beyond edge 206.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of exit ramp 100. Although exit ramp 100 is shown as generally pyramidal in shape (e.g. a generally rectangular base with sloped surfaces extending there from towards a common peak or common peak line), other polygonal shapes are fully within the scope of this disclosure. Optional angled surfaces 112 and 114 are shown as connecting sloped surface 106 to back surface 108.

[0041] FIGS. 6-9 show photographic images of an exemplary exit ramp 100 according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0042] In one embodiment, it is intended that exit ramp 100 provides animals with a means of exiting water basin 200. Accordingly, exit ramp 100 can be made from any material that provides exit ramp 100 with enough strength and structural rigidity to support an animal and is substantially water resistant (i.e. does not structurally deform upon placement in water). In this embodiment, exit ramp 100 can be made from materials such as but not limited to an appropriate plastic, plastic composite or the like.

[0043] In another embodiment, it is intended that exit ramp 100 provides animals with a means of exiting water basin 200 while also providing for passage of water 201 between water basin 200 and a secondary basin 210 through ramp 100. In this embodiment (illustrated in FIGS. 10-11), side wall 208 defines an aperture 212 that fluidly connects water basin 200 to a secondary water basin 210. In some embodiments, water basin 200 is a swimming pool and the secondary water basin 210 is a pool skimmer. Exit ramp 100 can be positioned adjacent to aperture 212 to act as a filter (e.g. to facilitate the passage of water between swimming pool 200 and skimmer 210 while inhibiting the passage of non-water materials (e.g. animals, leaves, branches or the like) between swimming pool 200 and skimmer 210).

[0044] In another embodiment, in use, back surface 108 is positioned adjacent to aperture 212 defined by side wall 208 such that back surface 108 abuts at least a portion of side wall 208 surrounding aperture 208. In this manner, the weight of an animal on sloped surface 106 is intended to bias back surface 108 against side wall 208 and inhibit the movement of ramp 100 within aperture 212.

[0045] Accordingly, in one embodiment, exit ramp 100 comprises pores 120 of sufficient diameter to allow for the passage of water therethrough and inhibit the passage of other non-water materials. Exit ramp 100 can therefore be made from materials such as but not limited to an appropriate polymer foam (e.g. polyurethane, polyethylene, polyether, or the like).

[0046] Also contemplated herein is a system comprising exit ramp 100 and an attachment mechanism 300. Exit ramp 100 is attachable to side wall 208 of water basin 200 adjacent to secondary basin 210 defining aperture 212, the exit ramp 100 extending above and below a surface 204 of water in the pool 200 and extending horizontally in a plane defined by the side wall 208 of the pool 200 such that exit ramp 100 substantially covers the aperture 212 defined by the side wall 208, the exit ramp 100 extending from the side wall 208 of the pool 200 to provide a ramp for animals (e.g. up to .about.30 pounds) in the water 201 of the pool 200 to climb to exit the pool 200.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, attachment mechanism 300 can releasably attach to back surface 108 of exit ramp 100 at top portion 102. Attachment mechanism 300 can also attach to side wall 208 of water basin 200 to releasably attach exit ramp 100 to side wall 208. In one embodiment, attachment mechanism 300 may be Velcro.RTM. and exit ramp 100 is manufactured of a material such that exit ramp 100 may releasably attach to Velcro.RTM.. In FIGS. 10 and 11, attachment means 300 is shown as a two-sided strip, one side with Velcro.RTM. for adhering to exit ramp 100 and the other side with an adhesive (e.g. glue) for adhering to side wall 208 of water basin 200. Many other configurations are also possible for attachment means 300. For example, attachment means 300 could be an appropriate glue, epoxy or the like for adhering the exit ramp 100 to sidewall 208 or to a structure surrounding aperture 212.

[0048] It should be noted that other mechanisms of attaching exit ramp 100 to water basin are within the scope of the current disclosure. For example, attachment mechanism 300 can releasably or permanently attach to back surface 108 of exit ramp 100 at bottom portion 104. In another example, attachment mechanism 300 can comprise multiple pieces that attach to different portions of exit ramp 100. Further, it is contemplated that attachment mechanism 300 can attach to a different portion of pool 200 or the surface 204 surrounding pool 200. It is intended that attachment mechanism 300 effectively couples exit ramp 100 to basin 200 to generally support an animal while remaining coupled to basin 200.

[0049] FIGS. 10A-D show schematics of a method 400 of installing an exit ramp 100 within a water basin 200. In this embodiment, water basin 200 is a conventional swimming pool having side wall 208, top edge 206 around which is located a horizontal pool deck (not shown). The pool 200 is filled with water 201 up to a level short of top edge 206. A conventional skimmer opening (e.g. aperture) 212 is shown within side wall 208 through which the water 201 may enter secondary basin 202. Aperture 212 may be provided with a hinged access door (not shown).

[0050] At FIG. 10A, step 401 shows that attachment mechanism 10A can be detached from exit ramp 100 (e.g. back surface 108). Attachment mechanism 300 can releasably attach to exit ramp 100.

[0051] At FIG. 10B, step 402 shows that side wall 208 of pool 200 can be prepared (e.g. cleaned and dried) for attachment of attachment mechanism 300.

[0052] At FIG. 10C, step 403 shows that attachment mechanism 300 can be attached to side wall 208 of pool 200. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10C, attachment mechanism 300 is attached to side wall 208 slightly above aperture 212. In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 300 comprises a glue or the like to attach to side wall 208.

[0053] At FIG. 10D, step 404 shows that exit ramp 100 is releasably attached to attachment mechanism 300 such that exit ramp 100 substantially covers aperture 212.

[0054] FIGS. 11A-D show images of a second embodiment of method 400. Herein, FIG. 11B shows removal of a protective strip from attachment mechanism 300 to expose glue thereupon. FIGS. 11A, 11C and 11D generally correspond to the steps previously described in FIGS. 10A, 10C and 10D, respectively.

[0055] In use, the exit ramp 100 is intended to be positioned stably slightly below the surface 204 of water 200 while attached to side wall 208 of water basin 200. Thus, sloped surface 106 will be mostly, if not completely, positioned above the surface 204 of water 201. Exit ramp 100 thus provides for an animal to climb out of water 201 along sloped surface 106 and onto a solid surface beyond edge 206.

[0056] In some embodiments, attachment mechanism 300 couples exit ramp 100 to side wall 208 at top portion 102 of ramp 100. This helps provide exit ramp 100 the ability to move slightly within water 201 and inhibit exit ramp 100 from accidentally tilting into an inoperative position, especially under the bias of waves generated in water 201, for example when swimmers are active therein.

[0057] Exit ramp 100 may be located adjacent to the pool skimmer 210, where it will extend slightly into the pool 200 swimming area, and can benefit animals that fall into water 201 since the water current will naturally make them drift towards the skimmer 210. In this embodiment, exit ramp 100 can be configured so that exit ramp 100 does not hamper the operation of the pool skimmer 210. Moreover, exit ramp 100 may help the pool owner in the retraction and emptying of the screen bucket operations by acting as a pre-filter as the screen bucket may contain fewer non-water materials, thereby being easier to retrieve and empty.

[0058] Further, exit ramp 100 may be used by animals of many sizes and shapes. As bottom portion 104 of exit ramp 100 may be positioned at or below surface 204 of water 201, a floating animal reaching the exit ramp 100 may not have to jump up to the sloped surface 106 to escape the water 201 but only climb on sloped surface 106 of the exit ramp 100. Also, as sloped surface 106 is inclined and elongated, if the water 201 level rises or lowers within a certain range, the exit ramp 100 will remain operational.

[0059] Exit ramp 100 can be used in pools 200 and with skimmer wells 210 of different sizes, within a certain range. Traditionally apertures 212 between pools 200 and skimmer wells 210 are of generally the same dimensions and the exit ramp 100 can be shaped to accommodate various sized apertures 212.

[0060] Finally, embodiments of exit ramp 100 has been shown as adapted to be used in association in conjunction with swimming pool skimmers. However, it is understood that embodiments of exit ramp 100 can be adapted to be used in other water features such as above-ground pools, fountains or the like, with no or only minor modifications. Further, it is understood that exit ramp 100 can be used apart from a swimming pool skimmer. Further, it should be noted that exit ramp 100 can be scaled to support many different sizes of animals.

[0061] In the preceding description, for purposes of explanation, various details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details may not be required.

[0062] The above-described embodiments are intended to be examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations can be effected to the particular embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An exit device comprising: a body having a top portion and a bottom portion wherein the top portion is configured to extend above a surface of water in a water basin and the bottom portion configured to extend below the surface of the water, the top portion and bottom portion forming a back surface configured to abut against a wall of the water basin and a sloped surface configured to extend into the water providing a ramp from below the water to approximately a top of the wall of the water basin.

2. An exit device according to claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism configured to allow attachment to the wall of the water basin.

3. An exit device according to claim 1, wherein the water basin comprises a secondary water basin, the secondary water basin connected to the water basin by an aperture in the wall of the water basin, and the exit device is configured to cover the aperture.

4. An exit device according to claim 3, wherein the water basin is a swimming pool and the secondary water basin and the aperture are a pool skimmer.

5. An exit device according to claim 4, wherein the exit device is made of a porous polymer material to provide for passage of water between the swimming pool and the pool skimmer.

6. An exit device according to claim 4, wherein the exit device also inhibits the passage of non-water materials between the swimming pool and the skimmer.

7. A system for exiting a water basin, the system comprising: an exit device having a ramp; and an attachment mechanism, wherein the exit device is attachable to a wall of a water basin via the attachment mechanism and the exit device is configured to fit adjacent to an aperture in a wall of the water basin, the exit device extending above and below a surface of water in the water basin and along the wall of the water basin such that the exit device substantially covers the aperture within the wall, the ramp extending from the wall of the water basin into the water basin to provide a surface for an animal to climb to exit the water.

8. An exit system according to claim 7, wherein the water basin is a swimming pool and the aperture provides access to a pool skimmer.

9. A method of installing an exit device in a water basin, the method comprising: attaching an attachment mechanism to a wall of a water basin; and releasably attaching the exit device to the attachment mechanism, wherein the exit device comprises a ramp that extends above and below a surface of water in the water basin and along the wall of the water basin such that the exit device substantially covers an aperture within the wall, the ramp extending from the wall into the water basin to provide a surface for an animal to climb to exit the water basin.

10. An method according to claim 9, wherein the water basin is a swimming pool and the aperture provides access to a pool skimmer.