Carpet slide for recreational use

A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device includes a first member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. The first member is formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface. An at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end is provided. A first mechanism is disposed along the upper surface of such first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of such first member for engaging a first end of the at least one strap like member. A second mechanism is disposed along the upper surface adjacent a radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between the front portion of such first member and the back portion of such first member for engaging a second end of such at least one strap like member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to recreational devices and, more particularly, this invention relates to a slide which is applied to the feet of the participant for sliding on carpet for recreational use.

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 will enable a person to slide of certain type surfaces for recreational purposes.

As is also generally well known in the art, these devices all require either a hill, rollers/wheels, or at least a slippery surface, such as, snow in order to enable these prior art devices to work effectively.

Additionally, prior to the present invention, there were no devices known to applicant which are designed specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT 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 fit a variety of 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.

In addition to the above described objects and advantages of the present invention, various additional objects and advantages of the recreational slides according to the instant invention will become more readily apparent to those persons skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in a first aspect, a carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device. Such carpet slide includes a first member, having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. The first member is formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface. There is at least one strap like member having a first end and a second end. A first means, having a first aperture formed therethrough, is disposed substantially lengthwise along the upper surface of such first member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front portion of the first member and a back portion of such first member for receiving a first end of the at least one strap like member through this first aperture. Finally, there is a second means, having a second aperture formed therethrough, disposed substantially lengthwise along such upper surface adjacent a substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between such front portion of the first member and the back portion of such first member for receiving a second end of the at least one strap like member through such second aperture.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a recreational shoe for use in sliding on carpeted surfaces. The recreational shoe comprises a foot supporting sole portion having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. The foot supporting sole portion is formed from a sheet of flexible material having an upper surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of such foot supporting sole portion has a coefficient of friction which is at least sufficiently low enough to enable easy sliding on such carpeted surface. A foot retaining upper portion is secured to such top surface of the foot supporting sole portion. The final essential element of the recreational shoe is a securing means disposed on such foot retaining upper portion for securing such recreational shoe to a wearer of the recreational shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INSTANT INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings for the sake of clarity in understanding the invention.

Now refer more particularly to drawingFIGS. 1 through 7. Illustrated therein is a carpet slide, generally designated10, manufactured according to the present invention. Such carpet slide10includes a first member11preferably formed from a flexible sheet of plastic material having an upper surface12and a bottom surface13. In one of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention the first member11includes an upturned perimeter edge14.

There is at least one strap like member which forms at least a portion of a means15for retaining such recreational shoe on a wearer's foot. Such at least one strap like member (not shown) includes a first end and a second end.

As illustrated best inFIGS. 4 and 5, the means15is preferably in the form of a two piece strap having strap segments16and17. In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention there is a hook and loop type material (VELCRO®) applied for securing the strap segments16and17to the perimeter edge14and also for securing the loose ends18and19of such strap segments16and17together. Strap16is provided with hook material20for securement to the loop surface21of strap17.

In similar fashion, the under surface22of terminating end23of strap16may be provided with hoop material to engage loop material20after terminating end23of strap16has been passed through aperture25of upturn perimeter edge14.

Strap17connects to the perimeter edge14in the same fashion, except that the hook and loop surfaces may be reversed. Additionally, as shown inFIG. 11there is a third strap like member44connected to strap like members16and17for abutting the heel of the user.

It is presently preferred that the bottom surface13of first member11is made to be convex in order to provide minimal surface contact with the carpet surface over which the carpet slide10is to be used. This provides minimal contact area and less friction and a more enjoyable sliding experience.

The upper surface12of the first member11is also provided, in the presently preferred embodiment, with a nonslip surface26which may be in the form of a foam pad to help prevent ones foot, as indicated by dashed outline27, from slipping on the upper surface12. Other non-skid surfaces may be substituted.

Referring next toFIGS. 6 and 7, a modification of the carpet slide shown in the previous figures is illustrated wherein the carpet slide10includes transverse sawtooth ribs30on the forward toe portion31. These ribs30are of a sawtooth configuration having ridges32which face to or toward the rearward heel portion33of the bottom surface13of first member11. As best seen inFIGS. 9 and 10, it is presently preferred that the saw tooth ribs40are arcuately shaped.

Thus, as the participant moves forward by walking or running when playing an athletic event, such as hockey, the sawtooth ribs30or40will dig into the carpet surface and provide enhanced traction. Yet by reason of the fact that the ridges32face rearward, this permits the participant to easily slide forward or to the side, when desired, on the carpeted surface.

Referring next toFIG. 8, another modification of the present invention is illustrated wherein the means for securing the carpet slide10to ones foot is accomplished through the use of a conventional athletic shoe35. The top face13of the slide itself is permanently glued directly to the sole of the shoe and provides a permanent sole for the shoe35.

A presently preferable material for the carpet slide's first member11is a slippery flexible plastic, such as manufactured under the trademark Teflon.

Reference is now made, more particularly, toFIGS. 9 through 11wherein there is illustrated the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. As seen therein in addition to the saw tooth ribs40being arcuately shaped there is provided at least one saw tooth ridge42formed on said bottom surface13substantially parallel to a length of said first member11and/or recreational shoe.

It can be seen, in summary, that the carpet slide10of the present invention is comprised of a sheet of material, preferably plastic, having top and bottom faces and an upturn perimeter edge to prevent catching of the edges on carpet surfaces. A mechanism is provided for easily securing a foot to the upper surface of each sheet.

In one embodiment, this means for securing the sheet or slide to the foot includes a two piece strap secured at opposite ends to the upturned perimeter edge of the sheet. This two piece Strap has an adjustable securing mechanism, such as a buckle, or more preferably a hook and loop fastener arrangement, for adjustably securing the two strap pieces together over ones foot for tight securement.

The top face is preferably provided with a non-slip surface.

The bottom face of the sheet is also preferably convex for more efficient and faster sliding contact with the carpet surface over which the participant intends to slide.

In another embodiment, the means provided for securing the carpet slide to one's foot may take on the form of a shoe, such as an athletic shoe, wherein the sole of the shoe itself is the sheet of material utilized as the carpet slide.

Also, in order to ensure good traction on an underlying carpet surface when the carpet slides are in use for playing such games as carpet hockey, transverse saw tooth ribs are provided on the forward toe portion of the bottom surface of the slide sheet for providing walking or running traction. These ribs have saw tooth ridges which face toward the rearward heel portion of the slide on the bottom surface of the slide for thereby providing a gripping action as the player moves forward, yet the saw tooth configuration permits the player to slide forward and sideways on the carpet. This gives the participant more control, particularly when playing a game such as hockey on a carpeted surface.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above it should be understood that various other embodiments of the invention can be envisioned by those persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.