Playground slide

Abstract

A playground slide that is specially designed to provide superior longitudinal strength for load support and superior transverse strength to avoid warping or distortion during outdoor use. The playground slide is formed from plastic by means of a rotational molding process and includes a longitudinally extending upper sliding surface and a spaced-apart lower surface that in cooperation with the upper sliding surface forms an elongated internal cavity. Additionally, the playground includes a plurality of transversely spaced-apart, longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs formed on the lower surface and also uniquely includes a plurality of transversely extending reinforcing ribs formed on the lower surface and disposed intermediate the longitudinally extending reinforcing ribs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to children's play structures. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel slide that is specially designed to provide superior longitudinal strength for load support and transverse strength to avoid warping or distortion during outdoor use.[0003]2. Discussion of the Prior Art[0004]Playground slides are in general well known and are found on school playgrounds, in public parks and as a part of various types of backyard play structures. In the past, most of the playground slides were constructed of metal. However, with recent advances in plastic molding, playground slides are now typically fabricated from moldable plastic by various types of molding techniques.[0005]A common problem of playground slides that are fabricated from plastic or similar materials is that such material has a tendency to deform under the stress when exposed to typical playground environments. The tend...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]It is an object of the present invention to provide novel playground slide that is specially designed to provide superior longitudinal strength for load support and superior transverse strength to avoid warping or distortion during outdoor use.

[0012]Another object of the invention is to provide a playground slide as described in which the transversely extending ribs resist any tendency of the slide wall to curl when heated and assure retention of the full width of the slide regardless of the ambient temperature.

[0013]Another object of the invention is to provide a playground slide of the character described in the preceding paragraphs in which the pattern of ribs is of a unique configuration that assures adequate rigidity even when the slide is used by an adult.

[0014]Another object of the invention is to provide a playground slide of the character described in which an integrated fastener is provided internally of the upper portion of the elongated internal cavity that can be used to securely mount the slide onto the play structure. More particularly, the fastener is molded directly into the underside of the slide top mounting area thereby avoiding the presence of any exposed hardware along the upper sliding surface.

[0015]Another object of the invention is to provide a playground slide as described in which the underside portion of the base of the slide is in the shape of a horizontal cylinder to allow the slide be mounted on play structures of various heights while maintaining contact with the ground along a line perpendicular to the direction of the slide. This, novel feature assures a stable installation that avoids rocking of the slide structure from side-to-side.

[0016]Another object of the invention is to provide a playground slide in which the lower portion of the upper surface of the slide is pitched slightly downwards to avoid collection of water from rain and sprinklers.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem of playground slides that are fabricated from plastic or similar materials is that such material has a tendency to deform under the stress when exposed to typical playground environments.

Similarly, over time, excessive flexing and deformation of the plastic can undesirably weaken the slide structure, raise substantial safety concerns and destroy the appearance and function of the slide.

This approach, while mitigating to some extent against longitudinal bending, fails to address the problem of shrinking and curling of the slide due to heat buildup from exposure to direct sunlight.

More particularly, a common drawback of such prior art playground slides is the tendency of the side walls of the slide to transversely warp and distort when heated.

Such transverse distortion weakens the slide and during use tends to undesirably reduce the full width of the slide.

Another drawback of many prior art playground slides resides in the provision of exposed fasteners that are used to interconnect the slide with upper and lower supporting structures.

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