GB2619549A

GB2619549A - Extendable slide

Info

Publication number: GB2619549A
Application number: GB2208497.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mann Miles
Original assignee: Robovision Ltd
Current assignee: Robovision Ltd
Priority date: 2022-06-10
Filing date: 2022-06-10
Publication date: 2023-12-13
Also published as: GB202208497D0

Abstract

An extendable slide 2 that is transitional from at least one sized slide to another, the slide having a sloping slide surface 4 formed of at least two interconnectable sections 4a, 4b and a modular step set 6 for adjusting the height of the slide surface to enable the modular step set to accommodate a single or at least two interconnected slide sections dependent on a desired height and/or length of the slide. A kit of parts is provided comprising at least two interconnectable slide surface sections and at least one modular step set. The slide is able to grow with a child, wherein parts of a smaller, toddler-sized slide are incorporated into a lager, extended slide for re-use.

Description

Extendable Slide

Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates generally to an indoor or outdoor slide.

Backaround

Indoor and outdoor slides have been used for decades to provide children with a fun activity and climbing skills. Slides are produced in many different sizes, with small slides being suitable for toddlers to play on indoors, up to large outdoor slides that may even be used by fully grown adults.

A slide is often packaged and sold in kit form, having the parts of the slide dissembled for assembly on site. This enables the packaging to be kept as compact as possible for delivery and also allows the slide to be taken apart and stored away, for example once a child outgrows the slide or if the slide is installed in an area when spaced is limited and used for other purposes.

Toddler slides are very popular but have the drawback that the child quickly outgrows the slide and requires a replacement, larger slide. This is not only expensive but also environmentally unfriendly, particularly as many slides are made of non-recyclable plastics materials.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel slide that overcomes, or at least alleviates, the abovementioned problems.

Summary of the Invention.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an extendable slide that is transitional from at least one sized slide to another, the slide comprising a sloping slide surface formed of at least two interconnectable sections and a modular step set for adjusting the height of the slide surface to enable the modular step set to accommodate a single or at least two interconnected slide sections dependent on a desired height and/or length of the slide. 1.

Each modular step set may comprise parallel side rails with at least one rung extending between the rails. Any number of sets may be connected together to provide the desired height and/or length for the slide surface. Alternatively, the modular step set may comprise adjustable or interchangeable side rails and at least two rungs for connection between the side rails. In the context of this disclosure, the term "adjustable" means that the heightdength of the side rails is adjustable; for example being in the form of telescopic rails. The term "interchangeable" means that the side rails may be interchanged for, or replaced by, alternative side rails, for example, side rails of differing heights/lengths. Preferably, all the rungs are detachable from the modular step sets but each set may have fixed rungs with each set being connectable to another set.

The extendable slide is preferably provided with a rear base foot for receipt of a lower step set. Preferably, this rear base foot is provided in the slide regardless of the size of the slide. The extendable slide may also be provided with a front base foot to receive a lowermost portion of the slide surface. Again, this front base foot may be provided in the slide regardless of its size Optionally, an extendable support rail is provided that is connectable between the rear and front base feet. Preferably, the support rail is telescopic. Alternatively, the support rail may comprise multiple interconnectable parts to allow selection of a desired length of rail dependent on the length of the slide.

The interconnectable sections providing the sloping slide surface are preferably formed from a moulded plastics material and the sections fit together to provide a smooth transition from one section to another section. Preferably, each section is bounded by parallel side walls and has an upper region that is substantially horizontal in the assembled slide.

The slide is preferably provided with at least one pair of handles. The same handles may be utilised in each size of slide or alternatively, different handles may be used. The handles may or may not form part of the modular step sets.

In one embodiment, the extendable slide has at least two pairs of side rails, each pair being of a different length and comprising part of one step set. At least two rungs are provided for attachment to the side rails, with the smaller slide having one rung attachable to the smaller side rails and the longer slide having at least two rungs attachable to the longer side rails_ The shorter side rails may be an inverted L-shape, wherein the short limb receives and supports at least part of the sloping slide surface_ Preferably, smaller handles of a plastics material are connectable to this part of the sliding surface, for example via an adapter part that mates with the side walls of the slide section and has flanges for receipt of the handles therearound.

In the larger, extended slide, a!anger pair of side rails is provided with additional rungs to provide multiple step sets. Optionally, a pair of larger handles is received in the top of each side rail. A support bracket may be provided underneath the interconnection between the sloping slide sections.

Any suitable materials may be used for the different component parts. Preferably, the step sets, support rails arid feet are all formed from a metal whereas at least the slide sections are formed from a reinforced moulded plastics material. All the components are constructed to interconnect with their associated connecting part, for example by a push fit or snap fit connection and/or may be fixedly secured to each other using suitable fixing means.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a kits of parts for an extendabie slide, the kit comprising at least two interconnectable slide surface sections and at least one modular step set.

It is preferable for as many component parts of the smaller sized slide(s) to be utihsed in the larger sized slides, thereby minimizing waste.

Preferably, the kit of parts includes common components for different sized slides, together with any additional different component parts required for each size of slide.

Preferably, the kit of parts is packaged in a single package. The kit of parts preferably includes a set of printed instructions packaged with the parts and includes any required fixing means. Optionally, replacement or spare parts may also be provided in the kit

Brief Description of the Drawinqs

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of an extendable slide according to one embodiment of the present invention, showing component parts for each size of the slide, Figure 2 is a perspective view of a small slide formed from the component parts shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of an extended slide formed from the component parts shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description

The present invention provides an extendable slide that is able to grow with a child, wherein parts of a smaller, toddler-sized slide are incorporated into a larger, extended slide for re-use. This not only increases the lifespan of the slide allowing a child to use the same slide for a much longer period of time but also reduces waste in the environment.

A preferred embodiment of an extendable slide according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that all the component parts shown in Figure 1 for assembly of the small slide shown in Figure 2 and the large slide shown in Figure 3 are packaged together in a single container, such as cardboard box, for delivery to the end user.

The extendable slide 2 includes a slide surface 4 formed of at least two interconnectable parts 4a, 4b, extendable modular step parts 6 comprising at least two rungs or treads 6a and extendable or interchangeable side rails 6b, a rear base foot 6c, handles 8a, 8b (which may be the same or different in the small and large slide), an extendable or replaceable support rail 10 and a front base foot 12. As shown in Figure 1, at least some of the components (identified by two dots in Figure 1) are incorporated into both the small slide and the large slide, as discussed in further detail below.

The extendable slide in the illustrated embodiment has five component parts that are utilised in both the small slide and the large, extended slide. However, dependent upon how the slide is configured, it may be possible to utilize more of the same component parts (for example using the same components for both handles 8a, 8b) and possibly omit certain components (such as the extendable support rail 10).

In further detail, the extendable slide 2 has a slide surface 4 comprising a first slide part 4a and second slide part 4b. Each part has an upper substantially horizontal section 40a, 40b for forming the top of either the small or large slide and each part has parallel side walls 42a, 42b bounding either side of the flat slide part. Both slide sections 4a, 4b are formed from moulded reinforced plastics material and are configured to interconnect together and receive other parts of the extendable slide so that the slide can be constructed to form a small or a large slide 20, 200. This is illustrated with reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 2 shows the components assembled into a small slide 20 using the common component parts of the first slide section 4a, the front base foot 12, the rear base foot 6c, a part of the extendable support rail 10 and a rung or tread 6a of the extendable steps. Additionally, the small slide utilises a pair of plastic moulded hollow handles 8a with an adapter part 50 and shorter side rails 6b. The adapter fits over the top of the first slide section to surround the top of the side rails and has upright flanges for receipt of the hollow handles 8a. The components are all configured to interconnect with their associated connecting part, for example by a push fit or snap fit connection and may be fixedly secured to each other using suitable fixing means (now shown). For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the support rail, rear and front feet and side rails are all formed of metal cylindrical tubing that may be connected together telescopically and/or received within complementary bores provided in other component parts, such as the rung 6a or base of the slide 4a.

The other components of the extendable slide 2 that are not utilised in construction of the small slide 20 should be stored for safe keeping. Once a toddler has outgrown the small slide, these components can be used to transition the small slide 20 to a full size slide 200, as shown in Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. As discussed above, many of the components of the small slide 20 are retained in the large slide 200 but additional parts enable the slide to increase in size. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the large slide incorporates an additional slide part 4b which is moulded to allow its smooth interconnection with the slide part 4a, thereby increasing the length of the slide. A support bracket 52 is inserted beneath the join of the parts 4a, 4b to increase its rigidity. The height of the steps 6 is increased accordingly by replacement of shorter side rails 6b with longer side rails having interconnectable handles 8b and inserting additional rungs 6a at intervals between the side rails. However, it is to be appreciated that other configurations are possible. For example, the plastic handles of the small slide may be utilised in the larger slide. The support rail 10a is also extended by the insertion of an extension pole piece 10b. Again, all the components are constructed to interconnect with their associated connecting part, for example by a push fit or snap fit connection and may be fixedly secured to each other using suitable fixing means (now shown).

The illustrated embodiment only provides one manner in which common components may be provided in single packaging to allow a slide 2 to be constructed as a small slide 20 or a much larger slide 200. It is preferable for there to be as many common components utilised in each slide as possible; ideally all the components of the small slide would be utilised in the larger slide. Telescopic component parts may be provided to further increase the interchangeability of the parts between the two slides, for example the side rails and/or handles of the steps may be telescopically extendable rather than replaceable, as may the support rail 10. It is also envisaged that the components may enable the slide to be assembled into more than two different sizes, thereby enabling the size of the slide to be adjusted according to the size/age of the child using it.

Replacement parts should also be available should any of the components be lost or broken and an instruction manual and appropriate fixing means should be provided within the packaging used to transport and store the extendable slide. The component parts may be provided within a single package as a kit of parts.

The present invention allows for a slide to extend in size as a child grows thereby increasing the use made out of the various component parts. This saves money and space for the end user and also increases the recyclability of the product, reducing waste. Another beneficial result of the invention is the use of less packaging because a single package is sufficient for delivering two, or multiple, slides rather than a single slide.

Further modifications to the extendable slide may be made without departing from the principles embodied in the examples described and illustrated herein.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An extendable slide that is transitional from at least one sized slide to another, the slide comprising a sloping slide surface formed of at least two interconnectable sections and a modular step set for adjusting the height of the slide surface to enable the modular step set to accommodate a single or at least two interconnected slide sections dependent on a desired height and/or length of the slide.
2. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 1, wherein each modular step comprises parallel side rails with at least one rung extending between the rails.
3. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular step set comprises adjustable or interchangeable side rails and at least two rungs for connection between the side rails.
4. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, further comprising a rear base foot for receipt of a lower step set.
Cr) 5. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a front base foot to receive a lowermost portion of the slide surface.
CO 6. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein a rear base foot is provided for receipt of a lower step set and a front base foot is provided for receipt of a lowermost portion of the slide surface, the slide further comprising an extendable C\J support rail connectable between the rear and front base feet.
7. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support rail is telescopic.
8. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 6, wherein the support rail comprises interconnectable parts to allow selection of a desired length of rail dependent on the length of the slide.
9. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interconnectable sections providing the sloping slide surface are formed from a moulded plastics material and the sections fit together to provide a smooth transition from one section to another section.
10. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each interconnectable section providing the sloping slide surface is bounded by parallel side walls and has an upper region that is substantially horizontal in the assembled slide.
11. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide is provided with at least one pair of handles.
12, The extendable slide as claimed in claim 11, wherein the same handles are utilized in each size of slide or different handles are utilized.
13. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the handles form part of the modular step sets.
14. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the slide comprises at least two pairs of side rails, each pair being of a different length and comprising part of one step set, at least two rungs provided for attachment to the side rails, with the smaller slide having one rung attachable to the shorter side rails and the longer slide having at least two rungs attachable to the longer side rails.
15. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 14, wherein the shorter side rails are an inverted Lashape; wherein the short limb receives and supports at least part of the sloping slide surface.
16. The extendable slide as claimed in claim 15, wherein smaller handles are connectable to this part of the sloping slide surface, preferably wherein an adapter part is provided CO to mate with side walls of the slide section and has flanges for receipt of the handles therearound.
CO 17. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a support o bracket is provided for placement underneath the interconnection between the sloping slide sections.
18. The extendable slide as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein the step sets, support rails and base and front feet are all formed from a metal whereas at least the slide sections are formed from a reinforced moulded plastics material.
19. A kits of parts for an extendable slide assembly, the kit comprising at least two interconnectable slide surface sections and at least one modular step set.
20. The kit of parts as claimed in claim 19, wherein the kit includes common components for different sized slides, together with any additional different component parts required for each size of slide.
21. The kit of parts as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the parts are packaged in a single package, the kit including a set of printed assembly instructions packaged with the parts and any required fixing means.