Patent Application
20130281221
Outdoor slides are typically very popular on playgrounds, play sets, swing sets and other outdoor apparatuses. However, these outdoor slides typically have a number of drawbacks. For example, some slides may be too high for younger children, a slide may only be used when the weather outside is sunny or warm, the slide may be too hot on sunny days, a home owner or occupant may not have enough room in a yard for an outdoor slide or may not live close enough to a park or otherwise have access to a slide. Additionally, some slides may be dangerous to ride at night.
Although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description section. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for sliding apparatus comprising a slide portion having a first surface, a second surface, a proximal end and a distal end. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first surface or the second surface is configured to be placed over one or more stairs of a staircase, such that at least a portion of the first surface or the second surface is in direct contact with at least a portion of the one or more stairs of the staircase. The sliding apparatus also includes an anchor member coupled to the proximal end of the slide portion. The anchor member is configured to move from a contracted position to an extended position such that when the anchor member is in the extended position the anchor member is secured between a first vertical surface of the staircase and a second vertical surface of the staircase.
In another embodiment, a slide apparatus is disclosed, the slide apparatus comprising a slide portion having at least one substantially planar surface configured to be placed over one or more stairs of a staircase. The slide apparatus also includes at least one anchor member coupled to a first end of the slide portion and the anchor member is configured to secure the slide portion to a first surface of the staircase and a second surface of the staircase.
Also disclosed herein is a slide apparatus comprising a flexible slide member having a first surface and a second surface. According to one or more embodiments, the first surface of the flexible slide member is substantially planar and the second surface is substantially non-planar. An anchor member is removably coupled to a proximal end of the flexible slide member and is configured to secure the flexible slide member to one or more inner surfaces of a staircase.
Further features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, appended claims, and accompanying figures, wherein elements are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, wherein like reference numbers indicate like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:
Various embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show specific exemplary embodiments. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
In certain embodiments, the entire slide portion 110 may be made of a single material, such as, for example, cotton, polyester, Minky, nylon, satin, vinyl, pvc, pleather, Kevlar, sheeting or any combination thereof. In another embodiment, the top side of the slide portion 110 may be made of a first material that is conducive to sliding (e.g., pvc or nylon), while the bottom side of the slide portion 110 (or at least a portion thereof) is made from a second material that helps prevent the slide portion from moving when the stair slide 100 is placed on one or more stairs of the staircase. Non-limiting examples of the second material may include a gripping material, rubber, or other such elastomeric material. In another embodiment, the second material may be vinyl, pvc, nylon, Minky, polyester, cotton, denim, twill, canvas, corduroy, duck, pleather, sheeting or any combination thereof. In still yet another embodiment, the slide portion 110, or at least a portion thereof, may be made with, or be coated by a hard or inflexible plastic, a flexible plastic, or other such polymer. For example, the top side of the slide portion 110 may be made from a plastic while the bottom portion made from a material that prevents, or helps prevent, the slide portion 110 from moving.
In one or more embodiments, the slide portion 110 may include a structure component that is enclosed by the one or more materials discussed above. In certain embodiments, the structure component comprises a foam material such as, for example, a solid foam material, a syntactic foam material and the like. In embodiments, the foam material is sufficiently stable so as to maintain its structure (slightly bends or folds) as a child or other individual slides down the slide portion 110.
In another embodiment, the structure component may comprise an inflatable component. The inflatable component may be enclosed by a cover made of the one or more materials discussed above. In another embodiment, the slide portion 110 may be inflatable. In such embodiments, the inflatable portion may enable a user to inflate or deflate the slide portion 110 and/or adjust the rigidity of the slide portion 110. In embodiments where the structure component is inflatable, various portions of the stair slide may inflate to different levels or capacities. For example, the slide portion 110 may inflate to a first size or capacity while the sides may inflate to a second (i.e., greater) size or capacity (e.g., inflatable sides that act as bumpers to keep an individual in the center in the slide 110).
In embodiments where a structure component is used, the structure component is enclosed by a cover. In certain embodiments, the cover may be removable from the structure component. Because the cover is removable, the cover may be washed, replaced, and/or repaired if and when needed. Such a configuration also enables a user to customize the overall look of the stair slide 100 and/or the slide portion 110.
For example, additional covers for a slide portion 110 may be available for purchase and each cover may have a different design, color or logo. For example, a cover may include a logo from a professional sports team (e.g., Seattle Seahawks, Denver, Nuggets, etc.), a College or University, a character or individual from a book, movie, video game etc. (e.g., Batman) or symbol of a particular character (e.g., Batman symbol, Superman symbol) and the like. Although specific examples have been given, the disclosure is not so limited and other customizable features may be added to the stair slide 100.
It is contemplated that one or more accessories may be added to the stair slide 100. These accessories (not shown) may include a tunnel, a landing pad (e.g., attached, either permanently or removably, to a distal end of the stair slide 100), a climbing rope (e.g., attached to the anchor member 120 to assist a user in climbing up the slide portion 110), a ball pit (e.g., attached, either permanently or removably, to a distal end of the stair slide 100), a helmet, a stair slide sled, a sensor or other trigger mechanism that triggers lights, sounds, spray of water, etc., and the like. In certain embodiments, each accessory may be removably attached to a proximal end, a distal end, or another portion of the stair slide 100. For example and as mentioned above, a landing pad may be attached to a distal end of the stair slide 100 using buttons, snaps, Velcro, straps and the like. The landing pad may include a structure component such as was described above or may include pellets or other such material. The landing pad may also have a width greater than that of the slide portion 110. As was also discussed above, in certain embodiments, the accessories may be permanently coupled to the stair slide 100.
Referring back to
In one or more embodiments, the anchor member 120 may be configured to move from a contracted position to an extended position and vice versa. The anchor member may move from the contracted position to the extended position (and vice versa) in response to a crank or lever being actuated or in response to a twisting motion, or any combination thereof. As different staircases may have different widths, the anchor member may be extended into a number of different extended positions. In some embodiments, the anchor member 120 may have a locking mechanism (not shown) configured to secure the anchor member 120 in any one of the extended positions. In certain embodiments, the crank or level may be part of the locking mechanism.
As will be described below with respect to
Stair slide 200 also includes an anchor member 220 and sleeve 230 such as was described above with respect to stair slide 100. In certain embodiments, the anchor member may be coupled to a proximal end of the stair slide 200 via a sleeve 230 and may be configured to move from an extended position in which the stair slide 200 is secured between vertical walls of a staircase and a contracted position in which the stair slide 200 may be removed from the staircase.
It is contemplated that the slide portion 210 of the stair slide 200 may include a structure component comprising a foam, an inflatable portion, a cover, or any combination thereof. Additionally, it is contemplated that one or more accessories may be permanently or removably attached to one or more portions of the stair slide 200.
In an embodiment, the stair slide 300 is foldable to: (i) affect a length of the stair slide 300, and (ii) enable the stair slide 300 to be stored more efficiently. The stair slide 300 also includes an anchor member 320 and one or more sleeves 330 that may be used to couple the anchor member 320 to the upper slide portion 310.
In certain embodiments, the upper slide portion 310 and the lower slide portion 315 may include respective structure components, covers etc. Additionally, one or more accessories may be either removably or permanently coupled to one or more portions of the stair slide 300.
In certain embodiments, one or more support members 420 may be coupled to the bottom side of the stair slide 100. The support members 420 may be configured as a support wedge that mates with at least a portion of one or more stairs of the staircase 400. In embodiments where the support members 420 are included, the support members may be attached and detached from various areas of the stair slide 100.
Although the stair slide 100 shown in
Referring back to
Although only one anchor member has been shown and described above, it is contemplated that multiple anchor members may be used on a single stair slide. For example, an anchor member 500 may be placed on both a proximal end and a distal end of a stair slide. Likewise, an anchor member may be placed in a middle portion of a stair slide.
In alternative embodiments, one or more of the stair slides disclose herein may be configured in different shapes. For example, one or more of the stair slides disclosed herein may have a spiral configuration so as to fit on one or more stairs of a spiral staircase. Likewise, the top of the stair slide may have various configurations. For example, the top surface of the stair slide may have one or more waves or bumps.
In other embodiments, the stair slide may extend beyond the top of the stairs or a staircase on which it is placed. In such embodiments, the extension may include a base that supports the slide extension.
Although specific examples, shapes and configurations have been given, one skilled in the relevant art may recognize that the embodiments may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other resources, materials, etc.
The description and illustration of one or more embodiments provided in this application are not intended to limit or restrict the scope of the claims in any way. The embodiments, examples, and details provided in this application are considered sufficient to convey possession and enable others to make and use the best mode of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter should not be construed as being limited to any embodiment, example, or detail provided in this application. Regardless of whether shown and described in combination or separately, the various features are intended to be selectively included or omitted to produce an embodiment with a particular set of features. Having been provided with the description and illustration of the present application, one skilled in the art may envision variations, modifications, and alternate embodiments falling within the spirit of the broader aspects of the general inventive concept embodied in this application that do not depart from the broader scope of the claims.
