Tube Slide Assembly with Flanges and Telescoping Base for Uneven Surfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tube slides face issues with improper assembly leading to potential injuries or failures at joints between segments, necessitating improved assembly methods for enhanced safety and stability.

Innovation Solution

A tube slide design featuring flanges with aligned apertures for secure fastening, clamp rings to prevent rotation, and a telescoping base for adjustable height, ensuring easy assembly and enhanced safety through secure connections and adaptable installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If tube slides are assembled from multiple segments, then the slide can be transported and installed more easily, but improper assembly at joints may cause injury or failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidjoint stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tube slide is divided into multiple segments that can be transported and assembled separately. Each segment includes connection features (flanges with apertures, clamp rings) that enable reliable joining while maintaining ease of assembly. The segmentation allows for modular installation and transportation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple connection elements (flanges, apertures, clamp rings) are combined into an integrated connection system. The flanges with aligned apertures and clamp rings work together as a unified assembly mechanism that simultaneously provides alignment, fastening, and rotational prevention functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If segments are connected with simple joints, then assembly is faster and easier, but the joints may be unstable and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidjoint strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The flanges are pre-formed with aligned apertures during manufacturing, so that during assembly only the fastening action is required. The alignment holes are already positioned correctly, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures during field assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Clamp rings serve as intermediary elements that connect adjacent flanges. These clamp rings provide a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process while ensuring strong, reliable joints between slide segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the base height is fixed, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot accommodate various user sizes or uneven surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidbase structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base structure transitions from a fixed height design to an adjustable height design. The telescoping base with multiple position options allows the slide height to be dynamically changed to accommodate different user sizes and ground conditions, enhancing adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable base serves multiple functions: it accommodates different user heights, compensates for uneven ground surfaces, and provides stable support for various slide configurations. This multi-functionality is achieved through the telescoping base structure with multiple lockable positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4385596B1Tube slide having a telescoping base
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 YARDISTRY US LLC
  • EP4385596B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385596B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4385596B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a tube slide having the following sections: an entrance, an exit, and one or more curved sections. Each slide section includes at least one radially extending flange on at least one end of the particular slide section. The one or more curved sections may include a first half and a second half coupled together by inserting a fastener through an opening in one of the halves and into a threaded borehole that is molded into the other half. Both halves include a plurality of openings and threaded boreholes that alternate along the length of the halves. A telescoping base is coupled to the exit of the slide. The telescoping base allows the slide to be used on a variety of uneven or varying height support or ground surfaces.