Abstract:
A reversible slide/climber playground equipment for children is disclosed. The slide/climber has generally opposed formed surfaces, one a sliding surface and the other a climbing surface. The slide/climber is reversible so as to utilize one of the opposed surface at a particular time, the utilized surface facing generally upward while the non-utilized surface faces generally downward. The slide surface may include slide paths which have a bottom contour with a mogul pattern and may deviate from parallel to the center line of the inclined portion. Each slide path is defined by a sidewall so as to separate the slide paths. For the climbing surface, adjacent steps may be provided. The adjacent steps may be irregularly shaped and interconnected. The slide/climber includes a depression for receiving a support leg when the slide paths are facing generally downward. The support leg in the center of the inclined portion is telescoping to facilitate use of the slide/climber for its intended function as either a slide or climber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Children are eternally curious and love to play. Children constantly seek new and various stimulants, both intellectually and physically. Games are invented with whatever kids find at hand, and everything can become a play toy. In addition, children are attracted to playground equipment that looks fun to play on, and equipment that is not complicated to use. 
     Children have long enjoyed playground equipment allowing for sliding and climbing. Traditionally, a slide has simply been a slide, and a climbing apparatus has simply allowed for climbing. As each piece of equipment has been single-purposed, providing a slide and a climbing apparatus has typically required multiple pieces. Thus, a separate slide or a separate climber each has required its own area for use. 
     In addition, most slides and climbing equipment are limited in the number of children that may physically be present on the equipment at a single moment. Playground equipment that allows multiple children to play simultaneously is desired. 
     The present invention relates to sliding and climbing playground equipment. As compared to existing prior art slides and climbers, the present invention provides playground equipment that is both a slide and a climber. Thus, the present invention provides a unique design for playground equipment and overcomes the discussed problems of prior art designs. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Among the several objects and advantages of the present invention include: 
     the provision of a slide and a climbing apparatus in a single unit; 
     the provision of a reversible slide and climber; 
     the provision of a slide and climbing apparatus that minimizes the area required for its use; 
     the provision of a slide and climbing apparatus that allows multiple children to play at the same time; 
     the provision of a slide and climbing apparatus that is attractive to children; and 
     the provision of a slide and climbing apparatus that is simple to use. 
     These and other objects and the advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description that follows. 
     In accordance with these objects, the invention is playground equipment for the dual function of sliding and climbing. The invention includes a horizontal platform and an inclined portion attached thereto and extending to the ground. The inclined portion is supported approximately midway between the horizontal platform and the ground by detachable and re-attachable legs. The inclined portion of the combined slide/climber has two, generally opposed formed surfaces, a slide surface and a climbing surface. For one use, the inclined portion presents a slide surface, while when reversed in another use, the inclined portion presents a climber surface. The slide surface includes multiple, defined sliding paths that may be regular or irregular and may include humps or moguls. The climber surface includes multiple, defined climbing paths that may be regular or irregular. As the slide/climber is reversible, children may use one of the surfaces at a particular time. Each surface is on an opposite side of the inclined portion such that either the slide surface or the climbing surface is generally facing upward at a particular time to satisfy a particular function of the invention while the other surface is generally facing downward. Several different slide and climber surfaces are disclosed to show the scope and extent of the present invention. The horizontal platform is supported parallel to and above the ground by posts extending from the ground level to above the horizontal platform further supporting a roof. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings, FIG. 1 is two perspective views of one embodiment of the invention showing how the invention is reversible as to provide each function of the invention as a slide or climber; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the invention showing the sliding purpose of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the invention showing the climbing purpose of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support legs for the inclined portion of the invention; and 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the inclined portion and the support legs for the inclined portion of the invention. 
     FIG. 6 is also two perspective views of a modified embodiment of the present invention which also illustrates the reversibility of this version of the slide/climber of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the slider function of the FIG. 6 equipment; 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the climber function of the FIG. 6 equipment; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the middle legs associated with the FIG. 6 embodiment; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the end legs associated with the FIG. 6 embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is also two perspective views of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the reversibility of this version of the slider/climber of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the slider function of the FIG. 11 equipment; and 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the climber function of the FIG. 11 equipment. 
     Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. 
     There are three illustrated embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5;  6 - 10  and  11 - 13  which will be discussed in detail below. 
     Referring initially to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a reversible slide/climber  10  is depicted in FIG.  1 . The slide/climber  10  includes a horizontal platform  12  generally parallel to the ground or support surface and is supported by four posts  14 , though this number may vary depending on the geometry of the horizontal platform  12 . The horizontal platform  12  and posts  14  can support the weight of several children simultaneously. The bottom of each post  14  rests on the ground or support surface and extends platform  12 . In the present embodiment, the horizontal platform  12  has four edges around its perimeter, one of which is referred to herein as the horizontal platform edge  16 . 
     The horizontal platform edge  16  abuts and connects to an elongated member identified as the inclined portion  18 . The inclined portion  18  extends downward from the horizontal platform edge  16  and approaches the ground or support surface. The profile  20  of the inclined portion  18  is generally of an S-shape. The inclined portion  18  is supported at its lower-most portion by peg legs  22 . The inclined portion  18  is supported in the center by two support legs  24 , further discussed below and depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5. The inclined portion  18  has two, generally opposed formed surfaces, a sliding surface  26  and a climbing surface  28  on opposing sides of the inclined portion  18 . The inclined portion  18  is reversible so that, in use, either surface  26 , or  28  is generally facing upward while the other is generally facing downward. 
     The sliding surface  26  permits use of the slide/climber  10  as a slide and the climbing surface  28  permits use of the slide/climber  10  as a climber. When the inclined portion  18  is serving one purpose, one end of the inclined portion  18  abuts the horizontal platform edge  16 , and the other end of the inclined portion  18  rests on the peg legs  22 . When the configuration of the inclined portion  18  is changed as to serve the other purpose, the ends of the inclined portion  18  are reversed, as depicted by the arrows in FIG.  1 . In addition, the surface  26  or  28  facing generally upward is reversed. 
     As the configuration of the inclined portion  18  may be changed, the slide/climber  10  provides both a slide  30  and a climber  32 . This provides for a variety of exercises for children in a single unit. Additionally, being a single unit, the slide/climber  10  minimizes the amount of space required for both a slide  30  and a climber  32 . Being generally stationary, and being limited only by the imagination of children in finding ways to climb or slide, the slide/climber  10  is simple to use. 
     Referring to FIG. 2, the slide/climber  10  is depicted with the sliding surface  26  of the inclined portion  18  generally facing upward and providing a slide  30 . As depicted, the sliding surface  26  has a plurality of adjacent slide paths  40 . Each slide path  40  is defined by a bottom contour  42  and upstanding sidewalls  44 . In the present embodiment, there are three slide paths  40 , a center slide  46  having a bottom contour  42  including a plurality of moguls  48  and two side slides  50 ,  50  having a generally smooth bottom contour  42 . The sidewalls  44  separate the slide paths  40 . Each of the two middle sidewalls  53 ,  53  have a depression  54  designed so as to receive a support leg  24  when the sliding surface  26  is generally facing downward. The plurality of slide paths  40  allows multiple children to play on the slide/climber  10  simultaneously. 
     The slide path  40  of the center slide  46  from the horizontal platform  12  towards the ground or support surface is generally straight. The slide path  40  of the side slides  50 ,  50  is S-shaped so that the center portion of the slide path  40  is extended away from the centerline C of the sliding surface  26 . As each slide path  40  is different and at least one has a bottom contour  42  differing from the others, the sliding surface  26  provides variety in the activity of sliding, thereby creating greater interest and stimulation for children. Additionally, the variety makes the slide/climber  10  attractive to children while remaining simple to use. 
     Further depicted in FIG. 2 is a roof  60 . The roof  60  is supported by the aforementioned posts  14 . The roof  60  is positioned at a height sufficient as to allow children to stand upright underneath the roof  60  and, preferably as a safety precaution, at a height sufficient to prevent children from attempting to climb atop the roof  60 . As depicted, the roof  60  has a decorative shape as to be pleasing and attractive to children. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, the slide/climber  10  is shown with the climbing surface  28  of the inclined portion  18  generally facing upward and providing a climber  32 . The climbing surface  28  includes one or more series of adjacent steps  70 . Each step  70  is defined by a hollow formed by protrusions  72  extending generally upward from the climbing surface  28 , the protrusions  72  allowing a user to move his or her body either up or down the inclined portion  18 . As children enjoy variety, the steps  70  are irregularly configured, as well as interconnected as to allow the steps  70  to be adjoined and divided by the protrusions  72 . The climbing surface  28  further includes depressions  54  designed to receive a support leg  24  when the climbing surface  28  is generally facing downward. Preferably, these depressions  54  are located on a protrusion  72 , as depicted. As further depicted, the preferable embodiment provides space for multiple children to climb the climbing surface  28  simultaneously. Furthermore, the irregularly shaped steps  70  are designed as to be attractive to children. 
     FIG. 4 depicts the support legs  24 . In the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment, the support legs  24  include two outside legs  80 A,  80 B and a center stanchion  82 . Each outside leg  80 A,  80 B is generally vertical, with the upper-most portion angled toward the centerline C of the inclined portion  18 . The top end of each outside leg  80 A,  80 B has a support plate  84  which connects to the aforementioned depressions  54  in the surfaces  26 ,  28  of the inclined portion  18 . The center stanchion  82  has a pole  86 , and a cross-bar  87 , which is orthogonal to the centerline C, the cross-bar  87  being turned upward at a right angle to provide for two uprights  88  which form a line orthogonal to the centerline C. The cross-bar  87  is supported by the pole  86 , the bottom of which rests on the ground or support surface. Each upright  88  terminates at a support plate  84  connecting to the aforementioned depressions  54  in the surfaces  26 ,  28  of the inclined portion  18 . The bottom of each support leg  24  rests on the ground or support surface. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the support legs  24  are further depicted supporting the inclined portion  18  having the sliding surface  26  generally facing upward. As can be seen, the support legs  24  fit into the depressions  54  to support and secure the inclined portion  18 . The pole  86  of the center stanchion  82  is telescoping, as at  90 , as to adjust for the height required, which is determined by which surface of the inclined portion  18 , either the sliding  26  or climbing  28 , which a user desires to have facing generally upward. 
     Reference is now made to the FIGS. 6-10 embodiment. As will be apparent, the slide/climber  100  is shown as having the same general shape as slide/climber  10  of the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment including sliding surface  26  and climbing surface  28  and all related components. The essential difference; however, between the FIGS. 1-5 and  6 - 10  embodiments resides in the use of middle support legs  110  and end support legs  120  in the FIGS. 6-10 embodiment. 
     Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the middle support legs  110  are generally vertical with the upper-most portion  112  slightly angled. At the upper free end of the angled portion  112  is a support plate  114  with suitable openings  116  for receiving fasteners (not shown) to allow direct connection to complementary shaped depressions  121 ,  121  formed in the inner sidewalls  44 ,  44  on the sliding surface  26 . When turned over to its climbing surface  28 , it will be noted that there are two depressions  132  formed on the center-most protrusion  72 , in order to allow the pair of middle support legs  110 ,  110  to be attached to the inner-most pair of depressions  132 . Secondly, the sliding surface  26  could also be constructed with an inner-most pair of depressions, if desired. In order to allow the middle-support legs  110 ,  110  to be attached to the inner-most pair of depressions  132  the middle support legs  110 ,  110  are preferably telescopically constructed as at  118 ,  118  for this purpose. 
     The end support legs  120  include a spaced pair of vertically extending leg supports  122 ,  122  which are connected to a common elongated and horizontally extending connecting plate  124 . The connecting plate  124  has suitable openings  126  (see FIG. 10) for receiving suitable fasteners  128  (see FIGS. 6-8) in order to mount the end legs  120  to the lower-most outer surface  140  on the sliding surface  26  or the lower-most outer surface  142  on the climber surface  28 . 
     Thus, the supporting leg system for the FIGS. 6-10 embodiment, including middle support legs  110  and end support legs  120  differs from the previously described leg supporting system of the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment. 
     Reference is now made to the reversible slider/climber  200  shown in the FIGS. 11-13 embodiment. In this instance, the reversible slider/climber  200 , while maintaining some essential common features, looks entirely differently than the slide/climber of the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment and the slide/climber  110  of the FIGS. 6-10 embodiment. 
     More specifically, the slide/climber  200  includes a slide  210  and a climber  220 . Both the slide  210  and climber  220  extend from the horizontal platform  202 , that is supported by the four legs  204 , to the ground or supporting surface. Middle support legs will attach to two castings which will attach to the two indentations  231  on the sides. 
     The slide  210  includes one pair of adjacent slide paths  212  separated from each other by a middle wall  214  of the same height and shape as the two outer sidewalls  216 ,  216 . One or more additional sliding paths of regular or irregular shape may be provided, if desired. It will be noted that the lower-most outer area  218  of the slide  210  attaches to an end support leg. This lower-most outer area  218  of the slide  210  also corresponds to the lower-most outer area  218  of the climber  220 , as shown in FIGS. 11-13. 
     The climber  220  includes a spaced series of irregularly shaped formed areas  222 , each of which has closely spaced rock-shaped protrusions  224  extending from its upper surface  226 . This allows users to step on the rock-shaped protrusions  224 , as well as the irregularly shaped formed areas  222 , for climbing the climber  220 . In addition, users can climb the climber  220  by stepping in the closely spaced depressions  232  formed in either of the spaced side channels  230  which extend from the top to the bottom of the climber  220 . 
     From the foregoing, it will now be apparent that the three illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 1-5,  6 - 10  and  11 - 13  differ from each other in various ways and further variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, all the accompanying drawings and the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
     In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects and advantages of the present invention have been achieved and other advantageous results have been obtained.