BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to tube slides, and more particularly to curved tube slides.
Playstations or playgrounds often include slides. One type of slide is often referred to as a tube slide and one type of tube slide is a curved or curving tube slide. Tube slides are typically supplied or shipped in several differently configured pieces that are assembled at the playground or near the playstation. Careful attention must be paid during assembly that the differently configured parts are assembled correctly and in the specific sequence required to obtain the final curved configuration of the tube slide.
SUMMARY
In one embodiment, the invention provides a helical tube slide that includes a plurality of one-piece half-tube portions that are each substantially dimensionally the same. Two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a first curved tubular segment that defines a first portion of the tube slide. Another two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a second curved tubular segment that defines a second portion of the tube slide. The tube slide further includes a fastener that couples the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a helical tube slide that includes a first curved tubular segment defining a curved longitudinal axis and a second curved tubular segment defining a curved longitudinal axis. The first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment are coupled such that the longitudinal axes of the first and second curved tubular segments define a portion of a continuous helix.
In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of assembling a helical tube slide. The method includes selecting two of a plurality of one-piece half-tube portions each being substantially dimensionally the same and coupling together the two of the plurality of half-tube portions to define a first curved tubular segment. The method further includes selecting another two of the plurality of one-piece half-tube portions each being substantially dimensionally the same, coupling together the another two of the plurality of half-tube portions to define a second curved tubular segment, and coupling together the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment to define at least a portion of the helical tube slide.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a playstation that includes a tube slide embodying the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the tube slide.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the tube slide.
FIG. 4 is a front view of the tube slide.
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the tube slide.
FIG. 6 is a top view of the tube slide in phantom and a solid line illustrating a longitudinal axis of the tube slide that defines a helix.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a half-tube portion utilized to form a portion of the tube slide.
FIG. 8 is an alternative perspective view of the half-tube portion of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a tubular segment of the tube slide formed from two of the half-tube portions of FIG. 7.
FIG. 10 is an end view of the tubular segment of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 illustrates five of the half-tube portions of FIG. 7 in a stacked or nested arrangement.
FIG. 12 is a top view of a container that includes the components of tube slide disassembled.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a playstation 20. The illustrated playstation 20 includes a plurality of vertical supports 24 that support an elevated platform 28. The playstation 20 further includes accessories, such as a climbing wall 32 and horizontal bars 34 (i.e., monkey bars). Of course, in other constructions, the playstation 20 can include other playstation accessories such as swings, a sandbox, ladders, and the like.
The playstation 20 further includes a helical tube slide 38. While in the illustrated construction the tube slide 38 is utilized with the playstation 20, it should be understood that in other constructions, the tube slide 38 can be a stand alone component (i.e., coupled directly to a ladder or steps such that the playstation is substantially omitted).
The illustrated tube slide 38 is formed from six curved tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f. In other constructions, the tube slide 38 can be formed from more or less than six curved tubular segments. The tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are substantially the same, and more particularly in the illustrated construction, the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are identical. Therefore, only the tubular segment 42a will be described in detail below.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the tubular segment 42a. The tubular segment 42a defines a curved longitudinal axis 50 that extends longitudinally through the center of the tubular segment 42a. The tubular segment 42a is formed from two one-piece half-tube portions 46. Both of the half-tube portions 46 are dimensionally the same. For example, as best seen in FIG. 10, the half-tube portions 46 both define a radius R1 measured from the longitudinal axis 50 of the tubular segment 42a. In the illustrated construction, the radii R1 are both approximately 12 inches. Of course, in other constructions, the radii R1 can be any suitable length. Also, referring to FIG. 9, the half-tube portions 46 further define inner arcuate lengths L1 and outer arcuate lengths L2. The outer arcuate length L2 is longer than the inner arcuate length L1 such the longitudinal axis 50 of the tubular segment 42a is curved.
The half-tube portions 46 are dimensionally the same, but more particularly in the illustrated construction, the half-tube portions 46 are identical. In one construction, the half-tube portions 46 are molded (e.g., injection molded, thermo-formed, roto-molded, blow molded, and the like) from plastic, and therefore, one mold can be used to form both of the identical half-tube portions 46 of the tubular segment 42a. Dimensionally the same, as used herein to describe the half-tube portions 46, means that the half-tube portions 46 can be formed or could have been formed in the same mold or by the same die or by the same operational procedure. As used herein and in the appended claims, the terms “identical” and “dimensionally the same” as used to describe the half-tube portions 46, takes into account inevitable minor variations that may occur during the molding process. As stated above, the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are all substantially the same. Therefore, the same mold can be used to form the half-tube portions 46 of the other tubular segments 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e such that the half-tube potions 46 of the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are all dimensionally the same, and more specifically, all identical. It should be understood that the half-tube portions 46 of the tube slide 38 can have different colors, indicia, surface features, and the like, while remaining dimensionally the same.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the half-tube portion 46 that is used to form the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e of the tube slide 38. The half-tube portion 46 defines an inner longitudinal edge 54, an outer longitudinal edge 56, a first circumferential edge 58, and a second circumferential edge 60. An inner longitudinal flange 62 extends from and along the inner longitudinal edge 54 and an outer longitudinal flange 64 extends from and along the outer longitudinal edge 56. A first circumferential flange 66 extends from and along the first circumferential edge 58 and a second circumferential flange 68 extends from and along the second circumferential edge 60. In the illustrated construction, the flanges 62, 64, 66, and 68 are integrally molded with the half-tube portion 46. Apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, and 76g extend through both the circumferential flanges 66 and 68, and apertures 80 extend through the longitudinal flanges 62 and 64. Referring to FIG. 10, when two of the half-tube portions 46 are coupled, the apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, and 76g are equally spaced by an angle α. In the illustrated construction, the angle α is approximately 25.7 degrees.
With continued reference to FIGS. 8 and 10, the aperture 76a of the first circumferential flange 66 is located an angle β from the inner longitudinal flange 62. The aperture 76g of the second circumferential flange 68 is located at the angle β from the outer longitudinal flange 64. The aperture 76a of the second circumferential flange 68 is located an angle γ from the inner longitudinal flange 62 and the aperture 76g of the first circumferential flange 66 is located the angle γ from the outer longitudinal flange 64. The sum of the angles γ and β equals the angle α, and in the illustrated construction, the angle β is approximately 8.7 degrees and the angle γ is approximately 17.0 degrees. In other constructions, the angles γ and β can be any suitable angle. The purpose of the angles α, β, and γ will be discussed in more detail below.
In the illustrated construction, the apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, 76g and 80 are integrally formed with the half-tube portion 46 during molding. The apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, 76g and 80 of each of the half-tube portions 46 are spaced and configured in substantially identical configurations. Accordingly, as stated above, one mold can be used to form all of the half-tube portions 46 of the tube slide 38 of FIG. 2.
Referring to FIGS. 7-10, to assemble the tubular segment 42a, any two of the half-tube portions 46 are coupled together such that the inner longitudinal flanges 62 abut and the outer longitudinal flanges 64 abut as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. By selecting any two of the half-tube portions 46, it is easy for the user to assemble the slide 38 because there is no specific sequence in which the half-tube portions 46 must be assembled. The apertures 80 are aligned, and then a fastener 84, which is a bolt, nut, and washer combination in the illustrated construction, is inserted through each of the apertures 80 to couple the half-tube portions 46. While the illustrated fasteners 84 include a nut, bolt, and one or more washers, in other constructions, other suitable fasteners can be utilized, such as screws, clamps, adhesives, welding, or tongue and groove, bayonet style, or other mechanical fastening arrangements, etc. Such mechanical fastening arrangements could be integrally formed with the half-tube portions 46 or could be separate parts.
Referring to FIG. 9, the tubular segment 42a defines the curved longitudinal axis 50 that extends longitudinally through the center of the tubular segment 42a. The longitudinal axis 50 extends through an angle δ that is defined by the circumferential flanges 66 and 68. In the illustrated construction, the angle δ is approximately 50 degrees, and in other constructions, the angle δ can be more or less than 50 degrees.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the curved tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e are each formed from any two of the half-tube portions 46, and are identical in the illustrated construction. The curved tubular segment 42f that defines an exit of the tube slide 38 is formed from one of the identical half-tube portions 46 discussed above, and one substantially similar half-tube portion 100. In the illustrated construction, the half-tube portion 100 is dimensionally the same as the half-tube portions 46 except that a portion the half-tube portion 100 is cut away to define an edge 104. The cut-away portion of the half-tube portion 100 provides addition clearance for a user's head as the user exits the slide 38. In other constructions, the half-tube portion 100 could be replaced with another of the half-tube portions 46.
With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, the tube slide 38 further includes a tapered entrance portion 110, a platform or “crow's nest” 114, and an exit portion 118. The exit portion 118 couples to the tubular segment 42f and interconnects the tubular segment 42f to the ground or another suitable support surface. In the illustrated construction, the exit portion 118 includes a curved inner edge 122 and a relatively straight outer edge 124. The inner edge 122 is curved toward the outer edge 124 to guide the user as they exit the tube slide 38. Therefore, the exit portion 110 is offset per the direction of rotation of the slide 38. In other constructions, the exit portion 110 can be centered with respect to the segment 42f. The exit portion 110 is configured to mate with a water slide of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,482,095 and 6,361,445, which are both incorporated by reference herein.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the tapered entrance 110 includes an entrance end 126 that defines an entrance of the tube slide 38 and an exit end 130 that is coupled to the tubular segment 42a. The entrance end 126 is generally rectangular is shape and the exit end 130 is generally circular in shape. Therefore, the entrance portion 110 of the tube slide 38 transitions or tapers from the rectangular entrance end 126 to the circular exit end 130. As best seen in FIG. 3, the area of the rectangular entrance end 126 is greater than the area of the circular exit end 130. The relatively larger area at the entrance end 126 allows the user to easily enter the tube slide 38 and provides greater area for entering the tube slide 38 than if the entrance of the tube slide 38 was defined by the tubular segment 42a. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the illustrated tapered entrance 110 is formed from two pieces that are coupled using bolts at a top flange 132 and a bottom flange 134.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the platform 114 includes a floor 136 and sidewalls 138 that extend upwardly from the floor 136. A top bar 141 including handles 142 is coupled to the top of the sidewalls 138. The handles 142 can be used by the user for assistance when entering the slide 38. Referring to FIG. 1, the platform 114 is coupled to the platform 28 of the playstation 20 such that platform 114 is cantilevered or extends from the platform 28. Therefore, the platform 114 positions the entrance of the slide 38 further away from the platform 28 and the vertical supports 24 of the playstation 20 than if the slide 38 did not include the platform 114 (i.e., if the tapered entrance 110 was directly coupled to the platform 28). By moving the entrance of the slide 38 away from the platform 28, the slide 38 is able to curve back toward the platform 28 and vertical supports 24 without interference by the platform 28 and vertical supports 24. This construction facilitates having the slide 38 maintain its continuous helix shape, as will be discussed further below. It also eliminates the need for a straight tubular segment of the type commonly used in prior art curved tube slides.
Referring to FIG. 1, to assemble the tube slide 38, the platform 114 is coupled to the playstation 20 such that the platform 114 extends outwardly from the playstation 20. In the illustrated construction, the platform 114 is coupled to the playstation 20 such that there is a step between the platform 28 and the platform 114. The tapered entrance portion 110 is then coupled to the platform 114 as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, such that the entrance portion 110 extends away from the playstation 20. Then, the tubular segment 42a, which was assembled as discussed above, is coupled to the entrance portion 110.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the tubular segment 42ais coupled to a flange 146 of the tapered entrance portion 110, which includes apertures in the same configuration and arrangement as the apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, and 76g of the circumferential flanges 66 and 68 of the tubular segment 42a (see FIG. 10). The tubular segment 42a is coupled to the flange 146 of the entrance portion 110 by inserting fasteners 150, which are bolts, nuts, and washers in the illustrated construction, through the apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, and 76g and tightening the nuts on the bolts. In other constructions, other suitable fasteners can be utilized, such as screws, clamps, adhesives, welding, or tongue and groove, bayonet style, or other mechanical fastening arrangements, etc. Such mechanical fastening arrangements could be integrally formed with the half-tube portions 46 or could be separate parts.
As best seen in FIG. 4, the tubular segment 42a is coupled to the entrance portion 110 such that the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42a are orientated clockwise (as viewed from the front) with respect to the top flange 132 of the tapered entrance 110 such that there are three bolts 150 between the top flange 132 of the entrance portion 110 and the outer longitudinal flange 64.
Next, the tubular segment 42b is coupled to the tubular segment 42a using the fasteners 150 and the circumferential flanges 66 and 68 of the tubular segments 42a and 42b. The tubular segments 42a and 42b are aligned such the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42b are rotated counterclockwise (as viewed from the front) with respect to the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42a and there is one bolt 150 between the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segments 42a and 42b. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, because of the configuration of the angular arrangement of the apertures 76a, 76b, 76c, 76d, 76e, 76f, and 76g (i.e., the angles α, β, and γ) the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42a and the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42b are separated by an angle of γ plus γ (see FIG. 10) or approximately 34 degrees.
Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the remaining tubular segment 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are similarly coupled such that the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the respective tubular segments are offset with the longitudinal flanges 64 of the preceding tubular segment by one bolt 150 as discussed above and as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.
Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, when the tubular segments 42a , 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are coupled, the longitudinal axes 50 (see FIG. 9) of the segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f align to define a helix 156 having a center axis 157 . More specifically, in the illustrated construction, the longitudinal axes 50 of the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f align to define a continuous helix that is defined by the following equations (hereinafter “the helix equations”).
Where:
D1=the diameter of the helix 156 measured at a plane normal to the axis 157 (see FIG. 6);
θ=the angle in degrees that the helix 156 extends around the axis 157 (see FIG. 6);
C1=a constant that is the distance measured from the ground to the point where the helix 156 begins (see FIG. 4); and
P1=the pitch of the helix 156, which is defined as the height of one complete turn (i.e., 360 degrees) measured along the axis 157 of the helix 156 (see FIGS. 4 and 6).
In other words, every point along the longitudinal axes 50 of the slide 38 fits the helix equations. Also, at every point along the longitudinal axes 50 of the slide 38 a circular cross-section of the slide 38 is defined if a cross-section is taken normal to the longitudinal axis 50. As used herein and in the appended claims, the phrase “continuous helix” means that the helix is defined by the helix equations. A continuous helix differs from a discontinuous helix because every point along a discontinuous helix is not defined by the helix equations. For example, a tube slide that does not define a continuous helix typically includes several tubular segments that are coupled together, but the longitudinal axes of the tubular segments do not align to define a continuous helix. Rather, the longitudinal axes of the tubular segments are discontinuous, or do not completely fit the helix equations. Such a tube slide is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,744. It has been found that the tube slide 38 that defines the continuous helix 156 provides a smoother and more enjoyable ride than a tube slide that does not define a continuous helix by providing a constant slope and curvature to the slide path.
In one construction of the tube slide 38, the diameter D1 of the helix 156 is approximately 28 inches, the angle θ is approximately 360 degrees, the constant C1 is approximately 22.5 inches, and the pitch P1 is approximately 56 inches. Of course, in other constructions, the diameter D1, the angle θ, the constant C1, and the pitch P1 can have any suitable value.
Referring to FIG. 6, the longitudinal axis 50 (see FIG. 9) of each of the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f defines a portion or segment 158a, 158b, 158c, 158d, 158e, and 158f, respectively, of the helix 156. In the illustrated construction, the helix 156 extends through the angle θ that is approximately 360 degrees. Therefore, the six dimensionally similar segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f each extend through one-sixth of the helix 156 or an angle ε of approximately 60 degrees. While the illustrated helix extends through about 360 degrees, in other constructions, the helix can extend through more or less than 360 degrees. Furthermore, while the six tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f each define about 60 degrees of the approximately 360 degree helix, in other constructions, the tubular segments 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f can extend through more or less than 60 degrees. Because the half-tube portions 46 are the same, adding tubular segments to the slide 38 to increase the angle θ is simple.
Referring to FIG. 4, while the illustrated slide 38 is assembled such that the user turns in a right hand direction as they travel down the slide 38, the slide 38 can be assembled such that the user turns in a left hand direction as they travel down the slide 38. To assemble the slide 38 in the left hand configuration, the tubular segment 42a is coupled to the entrance portion 110 such that the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42a are orientated counterclockwise (as viewed from the front) with respect to the top flange 132 of the tapered entrance 110 such that there are three bolts 150 between the top flange 132 of the entrance portion 110 and the outer longitudinal flange 64. Then, the tubular segments 42a and 42b are aligned such the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42b are rotated clockwise (as viewed from the front) with respect to the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segment 42a and there is one bolt 150 between the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the tubular segments 42a and 42b. The remaining segments 42c, 42d, 42e, and 42f are similarly coupled such that the outer longitudinal flanges 64 of the respective tubular segments are offset with the longitudinal flanges 64 of the preceding tubular segment by one bolt 150. Also, if the tube slide 38 is assembled in the left hand configuration, the exit portion may have a different shape than the exit portion 118 to accommodate the left hand turning slide.
Referring to FIG. 1, a support member 164 is coupled to the exit portion 118 to support the assembled tube slide 38. The illustrated support member 164 is constructed from standard 2 inch by 4 inch wood boards. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, other support members, such as rods 165 that couple to supports of the playstation 20 and anchors 166 that are anchored into the ground and coupled to the exit portion 118 can also be used to support the slide 38.
Referring to FIG. 11, when the slide 38 is disassembled, the half-tube portions 46 can be stacked or nested as illustrated in FIG. 11. While FIG. 11 illustrates five of the half-tube portions 46 in the stacked arrangement, it should be understood that all of the half-tube portions 46 of the tube slide 38 (including the similar half-tube exit portion 100) can be stacked as illustrated in FIG. 11.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 12, the ability to stack the half-tube portions 46 facilitates shipping or storing the tube slide 38. For example, in one construction, the assembled tube slide 38 has a height H1 of approximately 102 inches and a width W1 of approximately 58 inches, yet the disassembled tube slide 38 can be packed in a single shipping container or box 168 having a length L4 of approximately 32 inches, a width W4 of approximately 32 inches, and a height of approximately 20.5 inches. Therefore, in the illustrated construction, the assembled tube slide 38 occupies a volume V1 of approximately 200 cubic feet (H1×W1×W1) and can be disassembled and packed in the container 168 having a volume V2 of approximately 12 cubic feet (L4×W4×height). A ratio is defined as the volume generally occupied by the assembled slide 38 (V1) divided by volume of the container 168 (V2), and in the illustrated construction the ratio (V1/V2) is approximately 17. Also, the volume V2 of the container 168 is only about 6 percent of the volume V1 of the assembled slide 38.
FIG. 12 illustrates the tube slide 38 of FIG. 2, including the tapered entrance 110, the platform 114, the exit 118, the half-tube portions 46 and associated mounting hardware disassembled and stored in the container 168 having the dimensions discussed above. Of course, the tube slide 38 can have other suitable dimensions, and therefore, the dimensions of the container 168 can be varied accordingly.
Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Patent Application
20080207344
