Patent Application
20240082742
This disclosure relates to children's toys, and more specifically to portable, foldable tailgate slides.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Before sporting events such as football, many people participate in what has become known as, tailgating. Tailgating typically involves grilling food and socializing while standing around the back, or tail, of a parked truck in the until the football game begins. Recently, more families have begun participating in tailgating including children. Hence there is a need for activities or play things for children.
Conventional playground equipment is often used in a variety of locations and environments such as parks and schools, but also at home or in residential settings. Conventional playground equipment may include swings, slides, bars, ladders, playhouses and climbing walls.
Known playground equipment and play structures are difficult to transport and ship because of the large size of the various components. Known playground equipment is therefore not known to be portable or easily moved. Furthermore, known playground equipment is not adapted for use on a tailgate or for incorporation into a truck end.
Therefore, a need exists for portable tailgate slides for attachment to a truck tailgage.
A portable tailgate slide is disclosed. The portable tailgate slide includes a slide portion, having a smooth top surface for sliding, sidewalls, and a bottom surface, wherein the slide portion includes a top end portion comprising at least one aperture, and wherein the bottom surface of the slide portion includes a handle protruding from therefrom, and at least one strap configured to loop around a tailgate of a truck, wherein the strap is configured to attach to the tailgate slide from the aperture to the handle.
A foldable, portable tailgate slide is disclosed in one embodiment. The foldable, portable tailgate slide includes an upper slide portion, a lower slide portion, selectively coupled to the upper slide portion via a mechanical connection foldable along an axis, and at least one strap configured to loop around a tailgate of a truck, wherein the strap is coupled to at least one of the upper or lower slide portions.
One embodiment of the slide includes a handlebar to aid stability and safety for a user.
One embodiment of the slide includes a flap configured to partially overlap a surface of the lower slide portion.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” The term “based upon” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein the depictions are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,
The slide portions 12 and 14 form an incline plane from which a child may traverse from an upper position to a lower position. The portions 12 and 14 may be flat, half-cylindrical, tubular or include side walls. As shown, the portions are primarily flat-shaped with sidewalls. The flat surface and sidewalls may be integrally formed. The slide portions 12 and 14 may be formed of most any rigid material including plastic and/or resin-based materials.
The top portion 14 of the tailgate 10 includes sidewalls 15 and 17, while the bottom portion 12 of the tailgate includes sidewalls 11 and 13. The top portion includes a first smooth top surface 19 for sliding. Likewise, the bottom portion 12 includes a second smooth top surface 18 for sliding.
The top portion 14 and the bottom portion 12 are angled differently at the ascent and decent point. In varies embodiments, those angles can be adjusted. Further, the length of the ascent portion of the upper portion 14 can be shorter or longer, and the descent portion of the lower portion 12 can be shorter or longer than shown in the figures.
The straps 30 and 32 are configured to secure the slide to a surface such as a tailgate 2 as shown in exemplary
As shown in the figures, preferably there are two straps each configured to secure the tailgate slide to the tailgate. The straps 30 and 32, are preferably each threaded through an aperture, e.g., strap 30 may be threaded through aperture 60, while strap 32 is threaded through aperture 62. The first and second apertures, 60 and 62, respectively, are proximate to an end 64 of the slide portion and wherein the first and second apertures 60 and 62 can be spaced in an equidistance manner from the sidewalls with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the first and second apertures 60 and 62 are slit-shaped.
The straps 30 and 32 are configured to inhibit movement of the slide 10 during use. As
The straps 30 and 32 may be formed of mechanical elements and flexible material such as ballistic nylon. In one embodiment, a hook and loop fastener may be used instead a buckle as shown. However, it is contemplated herein that may other such fastening system (e.g., a D-Ring system, etc.) can be used to secure the ends of the straps.
As
The mechanical element 20 aids coupling of the slide portions 12 and 14 so that the slide portions are substantially flush, enabling a user to slide down from the upper portion 14 to the lower portion on a substantially continuous surface.
The cylindrical-shaped portions 22 may be integral with the associated slide portions 12 and 14. The cylindrical-shaped portions 22 are preferably laterally spaced so that when axially aligned the rod 24 may traverse through the cylindrical-shaped portions 22.
The cylindrical-shaped portions 22, rod 24, and cap 26 may be formed of the same material as the slide portions 12 and 14. In one embodiment, the rod 24 and cap 26 are formed of a different material than the slide portions 12 and 14.
In one embodiment, the mechanical element 20 is a hinge.
As
In one embodiment, the upper portion 14 includes a flap 50 configured to partially overlap a surface of the lower portion 12. In this way, a pinch point between the portions 12 and 14 can be avoided when using the slide.
In one embodiment, the slide 10 includes a ladder.
Examples in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.”
While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative embodiments, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other embodiments, unless stated otherwise.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 63/406,350 filed on Sep. 14, 2022 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63406350 | Sep 2022 | US |
