US20070234508A1

US20070234508A1 - Means for attaching a carpet skate to a user's foot

Info

Publication number: US20070234508A1
Application number: US11/393,470
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald Edwards
Original assignee: Simtec Co
Current assignee: Simtec Co
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2006-03-30
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device, the carpet slide comprises a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, such first member is formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the flexible sheet of material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor. There is a means engageable with such first member for securing said carpet slide to a user's foot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a slide used for recreational purposes and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a means for attaching a carpet slide to a user's foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, there are various recreational devices available commercially which can enable a person to slide for recreational purposes. Skis are used to slide on snow and ice skates are used to move on ice. But, as it is also generally known in the art, these prior art devices require something to provide the impetus for moving, such as rollers or wheels as are found on roller skates and skateboards, or at least a slippery surface such as snow or ice in order to enable these prior art devices, such as skis or ice skates to work effectively.
Additionally, other than U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,294 by the present inventor which discloses a slide which is designed specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces, there were no devices known to Applicant which are designed specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the present invention provides a carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device, the carpet slide comprises a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, such first member is formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the flexible sheet of material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor. There is a means engageable with such first member for securing said carpet slide to a user's foot.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a recreational device for use indoors on carpeted floors which will enable the user to slide on such carpeted floor.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is easy to use.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which will not damage the carpet during use.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is relatively light weight.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which can be designed to enable relatively easy turning in predetermined directions.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which can be used by persons having different size feet.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which will exhibit a relatively long useful life.
These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the carpet slide according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the carpet slide shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as taken across the line of III-III.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elastomeric member used to secure the carpet slide to a user's foot.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the elastomeric member used to secure the heel portion of the user's foot.
FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 1 showing the arcuate ridges on the carpet slide.
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 1 according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.
Now reference is made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 1-7. Illustrated therein is a carpet slide, generally designated 10, manufactured according to the present invention. Such carpet slide 10 includes a first member 11 preferably formed from a flexible sheet of plastic material having an upper surface 12 and a bottom surface 13. In one of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention the first member 11 includes an upturned perimeter edge 14. Such flexible sheet of material has a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor.
Such carpet slide 10 further includes a means, generally designated 20, that is engageable with such first member 11 for securing the carpet slide 10 to a user's foot. A first portion 2 of the means 20 is disposed along the upper surface of the first member 11 adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member 11 and a back portion of the first member 11 and a second portion 4 of the means is disposed along the upper surface of the first member 11 adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of the first member 11 and the back portion of the first member 11. At least one of the first portion 2 and the second portion 4 of the means 20 is a hook like member 6. It is presently preferred that such first portion 2 and said second portion 4 of the means 20 are both hook like members 6; however, one of such first portion 2 and second portion 4 could be just a circular loop. It is also preferred that such first portion 2 and such second portion 4 are substantially identical. An open portion of such hook like member 6 is facing a front end of the carpet slide 10.
A third portion of the means 20 includes at least one elastomeric member 32 that is engageable with the first portion 2 and the second portion 4 of the means 20 for securing the first member 11 to a user's foot. Such elastomeric member 32 is a rubber band 32. Such rubber band 32 hooks onto the hook like members 6 and the user slides his foot under the rubber band 32 or the rubber band 32 is placed over the foot. Such foot may be wearing a shoe or be without a shoe. The rubber band 32 will be strong enough to secure the first member 11 to the user's foot. Such rubber band must be elastic enough to adjust to different foot sizes but it must also be sufficiently strong enough to not distort when in action and so cause the foot to slide on the carpet slide. Therefore, such rubber band should have a predetermined width. Such predetermined width is between about ¼ inch and about ½ inch. It is even more preferred if such predetermined width is between about 5/16 inch and about 7/16 inch.
The means 20 of carpet slide 10 further includes a second elastomeric member 34. Such second elastomeric member 34 is engageable with the first portion 2 of the means 20 and with the second portion 4 of the means 20 for securing the first member 11 to a heel portion of a user's foot.
Such second elastomeric member (rubber band) 34 is longer than the first elastomeric member since it must stretch for a longer distance. Further, this rubber band 34 does not have to be as wide or possess the strength as such first rubber band 32.
In an alternate embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 7, such hook like member 6 is a double hook 8 which has an open end of one portion of the double hook 8 facing a front end of the carpet slide 10 and an open end of a second portion of the double hook 8 facing a back end of the carpet slide. In this arrangement such first elastomeric member 32 can engage the second portion of such double hook 8 so as to which provide additional strength when such user is skating in a forward direction and stops suddenly. The open portion of the hook 6 or double hook 8 is minimal so there is little chance of the rubber band 32 or 34 slipping off the hook member 6, 8.
As mentioned previously, the predetermined shape of such carpet slide 10 includes an upturned perimeter edge. This prevents snagging on the carpeted floor and provides for smoother skating. It is presently preferred that the bottom surface 13 of first member 11 is made to be convex in order to provide minimal surface contact with the carpet surface over which the carpet slide 10 is to be used. This provides minimal contact area and less friction and a more enjoyable sliding experience.
The upper surface 12 of the first member 11 is also provided, in the presently preferred embodiment, with a nonslip surface 26 which may be in the form of a foam pad to help prevent ones foot, as indicated by dashed outline, from slipping on the upper surface 12. Other non-skid surfaces may be substituted.
The first member 11 of such carpet slide 10 is formed of a flexible sheet of plastic and it is important that such plastic material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor.
Referring next to FIG. 6, a modification of the carpet slide shown in the previous figures is illustrated wherein the carpet slide 10 includes transverse sawtooth ribs 30 on the forward toe portion. These ribs are of a sawtooth configuration having ridges which face to or toward the rearward heel portion of the bottom surface of first member 11. It is presently preferred that the saw tooth ribs are arcuately shaped.
Thus, as the participant moves forward by walking or running when playing an athletic event, such as hockey, the sawtooth ribs will dig into the carpet surface and provide enhanced traction. Yet by reason of the fact that the ridges face rearward, this permits the participant to easily slide forward or to the side, when desired, on the carpeted surface.
While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device, said carpet slide comprising:

(a) a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size, said first member formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface, said flexible sheet of material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor;

(b) a means engageable with said first member for securing said carpet slide to a user's foot.

2. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein a first portion of said means is disposed along said upper surface of said first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of said first member and a back portion of said first member and a second portion of said means is disposed along said upper surface of said first member adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between said front portion of said first member and said back portion of said first member.

3. The carpet slide, according to claim 2, wherein at least one of said first portion and said second portion of said means is a hook like member.

4. The carpet slide, according to claim 3, wherein both of said first portion and said second portion of said means are hook like members.

5. The carpet slide, according to claim 4, wherein said hook like members of said first portion and said second portion are substantially identical.

6. The carpet slide, according to claim 3, wherein an open portion of said hook like member is facing a front end of said carpet slide.

7. The carpet slide, according to claim 4, wherein said hook like member is a double hook having an open end of one portion of said double hook facing a front end of said carpet slide and an open end of a second portion of said double hook facing a back end of said carpet slide.

8. The carpet slide, according to claim 2, wherein a third portion of said means includes at least one elastomeric member engageable with said first portion and said second portion of said means for securing said first member to a user's foot.

9. The carpet slide, according to claim 7, wherein said elastomeric member is a rubber band.

10. The carpet slide, according to claim 5, wherein said rubber band has a predetermined width.

11. The carpet slide, according to claim 10, wherein said predetermined width is between about ¼ inch and about ½ inch.

12. The carpet slide, according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined width is between about 5/16 inch and about 7/16 inch.

13. The carpet slide, according to claim 9, wherein said at least one elastomeric member includes a second elastomeric member, said second elastomeric member engageable with said first portion of said means and with said second portion of said means for securing said first member to a heel portion of a user's foot.

14. The carpet slide, according to claim 13, wherein said second elastomeric member is a second rubber band, said second rubber band being longer than said first elastomeric member.

15. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member includes an upturned perimeter edge.

16. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined shape of said first member further includes said bottom surface being convex in a direction disposed transverse to a length of said first member.

17. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said carpet slide further includes a non slip surface material disposed on said upper surface of said first member.

18. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said first member is formed from plastic.

19. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said bottom surface of said first member closely adjacent said front portion thereof includes a predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges formed therein for providing walking and running traction on a surface.

20. The carpet slide, according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are formed facing toward a rearward heel portion of said bottom surface.

21. The carpet slide, according to claim 19, wherein said predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are arcuately shaped.