Two piece slide

Abstract

A slide has a metal frame supporting a polymer slide portion. The slide portion has an upper slide section and a lower slide section connected to the upper slide section. The upper slide section and the lower slide section form an interface. The interface includes an interface middle section, an interface right upper extension, and an interface left upper extension. The interface middle section is offset from the interface right upper extension and the interface left upper extension. A left lengthwise interface section extends between the interface middle section and the interface left upper extension. A right lengthwise interface section extends between the interface middle section and the interface right upper extension. The left lengthwise interface section and the right lengthwise interface section are parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the interface middle section.

Claims

1. A slide comprising: a. a frame; b. an upper slide section, wherein the upper slide section is made of polymer; c. a lower slide section connected to the upper slide section, wherein the lower slide section and the upper slide section are supported by the frame, wherein the lower slide section is made of polymer; d. an interface formed between the upper slide section and the lower slide section, wherein the interface includes an interface middle section, an interface right upper extension, and an interface left upper extension, wherein the interface middle section is offset from the interface right upper extension and the interface left upper extension; e. a left lengthwise interface section extending between the interface middle section and the interface left upper extension; and f. a right lengthwise interface section extending between the interface middle section and the interface right upper extension, wherein the left lengthwise interface section and the right lengthwise interface section are parallel to each other, but perpendicular to the interface middle section, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel right protrusion that engages a mesa right indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel left protrusion that engages a mesa left indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein a mesa protrudes from between the mesa right indent and the mesa left indent on the lower slide section, wherein the middle slot mesa fits with a middle flange channel formed as a depression on the middle flange.

2. The slide of claim 1, wherein the middle slot mesa has a left mesa protrusion and a right mesa protrusion, wherein the flange channel has a left flange channel indent and a right flange channel indent, wherein the left mesa protrusion is configured to engage the left flange channel indent, wherein the right mesa protrusion is configured to engage the right flange channel indent.

3. The slide of claim 2, further including five bolts engaging the lower slide section, and five nuts embedded into the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts engage the five nuts to secure the lower slide section to the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts are vertically oriented.

4. The slide of claim 3, wherein the five bolts include a right slide bolt, a left slide bolt, a first middle bolt, a second middle bolt, and a third middle bolt, wherein the right slide bolt engages a right bracket extension flange, wherein the left slide bolt engages a left bracket extension flange, wherein the first middle bolt, second middle bolt, and third middle bolt are mounted to the middle slot mesa, and wherein the five nuts include a right slide nut, a left slide nut, a first middle nut, a second middle nut, and a third middle nut, wherein the right slide nut is embedded into the right slide protrusion, wherein the left slide nut is embedded into the left slide protrusion, and wherein the first middle nut, second middle nut, and third middle nut are embedded to the middle flange channel.

5. The slide of claim 1, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel right protrusion that engages a mesa right indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel left protrusion that engages a mesa left indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein a mesa protrudes from between the mesa right indent and the mesa left indent on the lower slide section, wherein the middle slot mesa fits with a middle flange channel formed as a depression on the middle flange.

6. The slide of claim 5, wherein the middle slot mesa has a left mesa protrusion and a right mesa protrusion, wherein the flange channel has a left flange channel indent and a right flange channel indent, wherein the left mesa protrusion is configured to engage the left flange channel indent, wherein the right mesa protrusion is configured to engage the right flange channel indent.

7. The slide of claim 6, further including five bolts engaging the lower slide section, and five nuts embedded into the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts engage the five nuts to secure the lower slide section to the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts are vertically oriented.

8. The slide of claim 7, wherein the five bolts include a right slide bolt, a left slide bolt, a first middle bolt, a second middle bolt, and a third middle bolt, wherein the right slide bolt engages a right bracket extension flange, wherein the left slide bolt engages a left bracket extension flange, wherein the first middle bolt, second middle bolt, and third middle bolt are mounted to the middle slot mesa, and wherein the five nuts include a right slide nut, a left slide nut, a first middle nut, a second middle nut, and a third middle nut, wherein the right slide nut is embedded into the right slide protrusion, wherein the left slide nut is embedded into the left slide protrusion, and wherein the first middle nut, second middle nut, and third middle nut are embedded to the middle flange channel.

9. A slide comprising: a. a frame; b. an upper slide section, wherein the upper slide section is made of polymer; c. a lower slide section connected to the upper slide section, wherein the lower slide section and the upper slide section are supported by the frame, wherein the lower slide section is made of polymer; d. an interface formed between the upper slide section and the lower slide section, wherein the interface includes an interface middle section, an interface right upper extension, and an interface left upper extension, wherein the interface middle section is formed between the interface right upper extension and the interface left upper extension, wherein the interface middle section is formed to the left of the interface right upper extension, and wherein the interface middle section is formed to the right of the interface left upper extension, wherein the interface middle section is at a lower level than the interface left upper extension and wherein the interface middle section is at a lower level than the interface right upper extension; and e. a middle flange, wherein the middle flange is formed on the upper slide section and protrudes from the upper slide section, wherein the middle flange fits to a middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein the middle flange overlaps the middle slot, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel right protrusion that engages a mesa right indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein the slide upper section includes a flange channel left protrusion that engages a mesa left indent of the middle slot formed on the lower slide section, wherein a mesa protrudes from between the mesa right indent and the mesa left indent on the lower slide section, wherein the middle slot mesa fits with a middle flange channel formed as a depression on the middle flange.

10. The slide of claim 9, wherein the middle slot mesa has a left mesa protrusion and a right mesa protrusion, wherein the flange channel has a left flange channel indent and a right flange channel indent, wherein the left mesa protrusion is configured to engage the left flange channel indent, wherein the right mesa protrusion is configured to engage the right flange channel indent.

11. The slide of claim 10, further including five bolts engaging the lower slide section, and five nuts embedded into the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts engage the five nuts to secure the lower slide section to the upper slide section, wherein the five bolts are vertically oriented.

12. The slide of claim 11, wherein the five bolts include a right slide bolt, a left slide bolt, a first middle bolt, a second middle bolt, and a third middle bolt, wherein the right slide bolt engages a right bracket extension flange, wherein the left slide bolt engages a left bracket extension flange, wherein the first middle bolt, second middle bolt, and third middle bolt are mounted to the middle slot mesa, and wherein the five nuts include a right slide nut, a left slide nut, a first middle nut, a second middle nut, and a third middle nut, wherein the right slide nut is embedded into the right slide protrusion, wherein the left slide nut is embedded into the left slide protrusion, and wherein the first middle nut, second middle nut, and third middle nut are embedded to the middle flange channel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a right perspective right side view of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a left perspective left side view of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a right view of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a left view of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a rear view of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 8 an exploded view of the present invention.

(9) The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings. 11 Right Frame Support 12 Left Frame Support 13 Right Ladder Leg 14 Left Ladder Leg 15 Right Leg 16 Left Leg 17 First Rung 18 Second Rung 19 Third Rung 21 Right Crossbar 22 Left Cross Bar 23 Right Ladder Handle 24 Left Ladder Handle 25 Right Front Slide Leg 26 Left Front Slide Leg 27 Front Footing 28 Front Footing Base 30 Lower Slide Section 31 Right Slide Foot Retainer 32 Left Slide Foot Retainer 33 Middle Dip 34 Lower Dip 35 Upper Hump 36 Middle Hump 37 Right Guardrail 38 Left Guardrail 39 Section Joint Interface 40 Upper Slide Section 41 Upper Slide Section Notch 42 Upper Slide Crossbar 43 Right Lower Slide Section Mounting Flange 44 Right Upper Slide Section Bracket 45 Left Upper Slide Section Bracket 46 Left Lower Slide Section Mounting Flange 47 Upper Slide Section Lower Surface 147 Right Front Foot Anchor Section 148 Left Front Foot Anchor Section 50 Upper Interface Surface 51 Interface Middle Section 52 Left Lengthwise Interface Section 53 Right Lengthwise Interface Section 54 Left Interfaced Section 55 Right Interface Section 56 Interface Middle Section Protrusion 57 Left Upper Extension 58 Right Upper Extension 59 Lower Slide Section Upper Edge 61 First Channel 62 Second Channel 63 Third Channel 64 Fourth Channel 65 First Lower Support 66 Second Lower Support 67 Third Lower Support 68 Fourth Lower Support 69 Fifth Lower Support 70 Lower Slide Connection Interface 70 71 Left Slide Bolt 72 First Middle Bolt 73 Second Middle Bolt 74 Third Middle Bolt 75 Right Slide Bolt 76 Left Slide Indent 77 Right Slide Indent 78 Middle Slot 80 Upper Slide Connection Interface 81 Left Slide Nut 82 First Middle Nut 83 Second Middle Nut 84 Third Middle Nut 85 Right Slide Nut 86 Left Side Protrusion 87 Right Side Protrusion 88 Middle Flange 89 Middle Flange Channel 91 Left Mesa Protrusion 92 Right Mesa Protrusion 93 Left Flange Indent 94 Right Flange Channel Indent 95 Middle Slot Front Wall 96 Flange Channel Front Wall 97 Mesa Left Indent 98 Flange Channel Left Protrusion 99 Mesa Right Indent 101 Left Guardrail Receiving Face 102 Left Guardrail Extension Face 103 Left Bracket Extension Flange 104 Left Bracket Upper Face 105 Right Guardrail Receiving Face 106 Right Guardrail Extension Face 107 Right Bracket Upper Face 108 Right Bracket Extension Flange

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(10) As seen in FIG. 1, the slide generally has an upper slide section 40 and a lower slide section 30 supported by a frame. The upper slide section 40 is formed as a seat with an entry from the rear and a connection to the lower slide section in the front. The lower slide section 30 is formed as a ramp with a connection to the upper slide section 40 in the rear, and a slide exit in the front.

(11) The frame includes a right frame support 11 and a left frame support 12. The right frame support 11 has a right ladder leg 13 and the left frame support 12 has a left ladder leg 14. The right frame support 11 also has a right leg 15 extending downwardly in front of the right ladder leg 13. The left frame support 12 also has a left leg 16 extending downwardly in front of the left ladder leg 14. The right frame support 11 connects to the left frame support 12 via horizontal structural connecting members which include a first rung 17, a second rung 18, and a right crossbar 21.

(12) A slide foot supports the front of the slide at the lower portion of the slide. The slide foot fits into a right slide foot retainer 31 on a right side of the foot, and a left slide foot retainer 32 on the left side of the foot. The slide has an upper hump 35 that gently bends under a users legs when the user is sitting on the upper slide section 40 and ready to slide. The right frame support 11 and the left frame support 12 form a pair of curved handles for the right and left hands. A user can push off from the curved handles of the right frame support 11 and the left frame support 12. The middle dip 33 and a lower dip 34 have a middle hump 36 between them to provide an undulating slide surface that accelerates sliding speed. The lower dip 34 bends to a more flat angle at the exit of the slide. The right guardrail 37 and the left guardrail 38 provide a support for the slide structure and continue from the upper slide section 40 down to the lower slide section 30. The right guardrail 37 and the left guardrail 38 are also joined at a section joint interface 39. Preferably, the frame is made of galvanized or powder coated steel tubing and the slide portion is made of high density polyethylene.

(13) As seen in FIG. 2, a right frame support 11 has a right ladder handle 23 that is generally semicircular at a top and a left frame support 12 that has a left ladder handle 24 that is generally semicircular at a top. The pair of semicircular ladder handles extend at least twice the height of the guardrails and extend downwardly to four legs in a generally parabolic. The first rung 17 and the second rung 18 can be stamped from a flat sheet of rectangular steel and powder coated on both sides. The rung feet grips can be stamped in long protrusions which increase the rigidity of the rung members. The rung members are preferably rectangular with a corrugated top, and downwardly extending sidewalls with a right rung notch receiving the right ladder leg, and a left rung notch receiving the left ladder leg. The right rung notch and the left rung notch are preferably rounded when the right ladder leg and the left ladder leg have a round tubular cross-section.

(14) The left cross bar 22 extends from the left ladder leg 14 to the left leg 16 for providing additional stability. When the left lateral leg 14 and the left leg 16 rest on the ground, they may be on uneven ground and the left crossbar 22 may provide a tension support to prevent separation of the left ladder leg 14 from the left leg 16. The front footing 27 also provides additional stability. The front footing 27 is formed as a tube with a front footing base 28. The front footing base 28 is formed as a tubular steel horizontal member that rests on the ground. The right front slide leg 25 extends upwardly from a right side of the front footing base 28, and the left front slide leg 26 extends upwardly from a left side of the front footing base 28. The right front slide leg 25 left front slide leg 26 extend rearwardly underneath the slide and are respectively retained by right slide foot retainer 31 and a left slide foot retainer 32. The right slide foot retainer 31 and the left slide foot retainer 32 can be formed as pair of slots terminating at a bump underneath the front of the slide where the front footing 27 is attached.

(15) As seen in FIG. 3, the right frame support 11 includes a right ladder leg 13 and a right leg 15 that complements the left leg 16. The first rung 17 is preferably at about one third the height of the right crossbar 21, and the second rung 18 is preferably at about two thirds the height of the right crossbar 21. The user climbs to the upper slide section 40 and the upper slide section 40 has an upper slide section notch 41 that rests on an upper slide crossbar 42. The upper slide crossbar 42 cooperates with a right lower slide section mounting flange 43. The slide has an upper slide section 40 that connects to the lower slide section 30 at a right upper slide section bracket 44 which is formed by shaping the upper slide section 40 and the lower slide section 30 to fit together snugly. Similarly, as seen in FIG. 4, the left upper slide section bracket 45 and the left lower slide section mounting flange 46 also assist in structural rigidity. The left upper slide section bracket 45 is integrated to the left guardrail 38 and the left guardrail 38 appears continuous from the perspective of a user on the slide.

(16) The left lower slide section mounting flange 46 is preferably connected to the left leg 16 just as the right lower slide section mounting flange 43 is connected to the right leg 15. The right guardrail 37 also appears continuous from the perspective of a user on the slide.

(17) As seen in FIG. 5, the upper slide section 40 and the lower slide section 30 connect together at a section joint interface 39. The upper interface surface 50 on the upper surface of the slide has an interface middle section 51, left middle lengthwise interface 52, right lengthwise section 53, left interfaced section 54, and a right interface section 55. An interface middle section protrusion 56 is formed at the interface middle section 51 and protrudes downwardly. The interface middle section protrusion 56 is formed between the left upper extension 57 and the right upper extension 58. The left upper extension 57 extends upwardly at the left interface section 54, and the right upper extension 58 extends upwardly at the right interface section 55.

(18) The right interface section 55 is preferably parallel to the interface middle section 51. The left interface section 54 is preferably parallel to the interface middle section 51. The left lengthwise interface section 52 extends perpendicularly between the left interface section 54 and the interface middle section 51. The right lengthwise section 53 extends perpendicularly between the right interface section 55 and the interface middle section 51. The right lengthwise interface section 53 and the left lengthwise interface section 52 are preferably parallel to each other and

(19) As seen in FIG. 6, the upper slide section lower surface 47 of the lower slide section 30 is shaped to receive the third rung 19 at a partially recessed area of the upper slide section lower surface. The slide generally has a first lower support 65, second lower support 66, third lower support 67, fourth lower support 68, and fifth lower support 69. A first channel 61 is formed between the first lower support 65 and a second lower support 66. A second channel 62 is formed between the second lower support 66 and the third lower support 67. A third channel 63 is formed between the third lower support 67 and the fourth floor support 68. A fourth channel 64 is formed between the lower support 68 and the fifth lower support 69.

(20) As seen in FIG. 7, the right slide leg slot 28 receives the right front slide leg 25, and the left slide leg slot 29 receives the left front slide leg 26. The right slide leg slot 28 and the left slide leg slot 29 are both formed on the upper slide section lower surface 47. The bumps at the end of the slots can be formed as a right front foot anchor section 147 and a left front foot anchor section 148.

(21) As seen in FIG. 8, an exploded view of the present invention shows the upper slide section notch 41 with four elongated protrusions that are configured to retain the upper slide crossbar 42. Between the elongated protrusions, a pair of welding points formed as circular impressions can strengthen the connection between the top surface of the slide in the bottom surface of the slide when the slide is formed as a hollow plastic injection or rotationally molded member.

(22) The upper and lower slide sections are connected by bolts and nuts. The lower slide section has a lower slide connection interface 70 and the upper slide section has an upper slide connection interface 80 that fit together with each other. The left slide bolt 71 fits to the left slide indent 76 to form the left upper slide section bracket 45. Similarly, the right slide bolt 75 fits to the right slide indent 77 to form the right upper slide section bracket 44. The left slide nut 81 can be embedded on the left slide protrusion 86 and aligned to the left slide indent 76 so that it receives the left slide bolt 71. Similarly, the right slide nut 85 is preferably embedded in the right slide protrusion 87 and aligned with the right slide indent 77 so that the right slide nut 85 aligns with and receives the right slide bolt 75.

(23) The middle flange 88 extends from the upper slide section 40 towards the lower slide section 30 and has a middle flange channel 89 formed as a depression in the middle flange 88. The first middle nut 82, second middle nut 83, and third middle nut 84 are preferably embedded into the middle flange channel 89 of the middle flange 88. The first middle nut 82, second middle nut 83, and third middle nut 84 are mounted between the left slide nut 81 and the right slide nut 82.

(24) The first middle bolt 72, second middle bolt 73, and third middle bolt 74 respectively engage to the first middle nut 82, second middle nut 83, and third middle nut 84. The first middle bolt 72, second middle bolt 73, and third middle bolt are mounted to the middle slot mesa 79 of the middle slot 78 formed on the lower slide section 30. The middle slot 78 is a depression on the lower slide section 30. The middle slot mesa 79 extends from the middle slot 78.

(25) The left side protrusion 86 of the upper slide section has a left side protrusion nub that fits into the left slide indent 76 of the lower slide section. The right side protrusion 87 of the upper slide section has a right side protrusion nub that fits into a right slide indent 77 of the lower slide section.

(26) The middle flange channel 89 has a left flange channel indent 93 and a right flange channel indent 94 respectively configured to fit into a left mesa protrusion 91 and a right mesa protrusion 92. The middle flange channel 89 fits with the middle slot mesa 79. The flange channel front wall 96 of the middle flange channel 89 abuts the middle slot mesa 79 at a middle slot mesa rear edge. Similarly, the middle slot front wall 95 abuts the front edge of the middle flange channel 89. The mesa left indent 97 and the mesa right indent 99 are indented below a level of the middle slot mesa 79 and respectively receive the flange channel left protrusion 98 and the flange channel right protrusion 100.

(27) A left guardrail receiving face 101 of the lower slide section abuts the left guardrail extension face 102 of the upper slide section. A right guardrail receiving face 105 abuts the right guardrail extension face 106 of the upper slide section. The left bracket extension flange 103 abuts the left bracket upper face 104 while the right bracket upper face 107 abuts the right bracket extension flange 108.

(28) The mesas, protrusions and indentations that cooperate with each other preferably have angled sides such that they bind when the bolts are tightened to the nuts. For example, the left mesa protrusion 91 and the right mesa protrusion 92 can be made as rectangular protrusions that have angled sidewalls. The angle of these angled sidewalls would match the angles of the mesa left indent 97 and the mesa right indent 99. The polymer or plastic exterior surface optionally may have a surface treatment with roughness that promotes binding when the bolts are tightened. The angled sidewalls automatically align the bolts to the nuts when the user presses the upper and lower slide sections together during assembly.