Abstract:
A plastic slide is provided with a pump at the bottom of the slide and placed into a pool, typically a wading pool. A strainer assembly filters out grass and other foreign matter from the water, and transfers the water through a small electrical, air, or battery powered pump to the top of the slide, where the water is released. The water then falls down the slide and back into the pool where it repeats the cycle as long as the pump is energized.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 498,716 filed on Aug. 20, 2001 under 35U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to water recreation devices and, more particularly, to an apparatus that provides an individual water slide using a new or existing converted slide that contains and circulates its own water supply. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Very few play time activities rival that of spending a hot summer day playing in water. Whether it is a large, in-ground, Olympic size pool, a small backyard pool, or even a garden hose and a sprinkler, the fun of water combined with its cooling properties, make water an attraction that few people, especially children, can resist. One type of water attraction, commonly found at water parks, but usually not in backyards is that of the water slide. While some creative children may take a garden hose and put it at the top of the slide, it quickly creates a muddy mess, not to mention a high water bill or concern over water usage for those having water supplied by a well. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 Inventor 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 6,186,902 
                 Briggs 
                 Feb. 13, 2001 
               
               
                   
                 6,146,282 
                 McCready et al. 
                 Nov. 14, 2000 
               
               
                   
                 5,865,679 
                 Seabot et al. 
                 Feb. 2, 1999 
               
               
                   
                 5,551,922 
                 Katz et al. 
                 Sep. 3, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 5,540,622 
                 Gold et al. 
                 Jul. 30, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 5,728,005 
                 Rothbard 
                 Mar. 17, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 6,062,983 
                 Butsook 
                 May 16, 2000 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Of considerable relevance are the McCreary et al and Seabolt et al. disclosures. While these reference provide for water slides have features that are incorporated into this invention in combination, other elements are different enough as to make the a self contained water slide for individual yard use distinguished over this or other art. 
     Consequently, a need has been felt for a means by which the fun of a backyard water slide can be provided the features of a commercial water park within an individual use&#39;s own property. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved water recreation device. 
     It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus is provided that converts a standard backyard slide into a water slide. 
     Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus is provided that converts or provides a backyard slide into a water slide for use with a wading pool. The invention is used with a plastic slide that is typically found as part of a backyard swing set or by itself. The bottom of the slide is placed into a pool, typically a wading pool, and the pool is filled with water. Next, a strainer assembly filters out grass and other foreign matter from the water, and transfers the water through a small electrical, air, or battery powered pump to the top of the slide, where the water is released. The water then falls down the slide and back into the pool where it repeats the cycle as long as the pump is energized. The invention provides almost unlimited fun without wasting of water or creating a muddy mess. 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment, a water slide is provided that converts backyard slide and pool into a new fun toy. 
     An advantage of the use of a strainer assembly allows for filtering of grass and other foreign matter out of the water. This keeps the pump from clogging up and can be easily cleaned after each use. 
     Another advantage is the use of a pump powered by a motor that keeps recirculating water, which saves on water bill by conserving when compared to a continuously running hose and prevents overfilling pool and associated ponding. An additional alternate advantage is to allow for conservation of water for those using a well. 
     Further, various configurations can be sold with slide and/or pool, or the pump, strainer, and hoses can be sold separately as a kit to convert existing pools and slides. This allows pool and slide to return to their regular usage without alteration. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a personal water slide according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded partial perspective view of a pump  30  for use therewith; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the upper end  12  of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a cross sectional elevation taken along line V—V of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 a  is a partial elevation of the lower end  14  according to a preferred embodiment; 
     FIG. 6 b  is a partial elevation of the lower end  14  according to a first alternate embodiment; and 
     FIG. 6 c  is a partial elevation of the lower end  14  according to a second alternate embodiment. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the Figures. 
     1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, a personal water slide  10  is shown, according to the present invention, that is specifically adapted as a self contained water slide for individual yard use. As such, the slide  10  has an upper end  12  vertically above a lower end  14  opposite a flat upper slide surface  16  (see FIG.  5 ). A ladder  18  affixed to the upper end  12  provides for access in an otherwise conventional manner. A water pump  30 , as described in greater detail below, has an intake conduit  32  opposite a discharge  33 . The discharge  33  forms a first conduit connection means  34  for removably affixing to a communication conduit  36 . In its preferred embodiment it is anticipated that the communication conduit  36  would comprise a length of otherwise conventionally available hose. As such, the first conduit connection means  34  would comprise a male threaded hose connection. It is anticipated, however, that the communication conduit  36  could be formed in an alternate manner, either as an attached member or formed integrally into the slide  10 . Formed at the upper end  12  in a manner shown in greater detail below is a second conduit connection means  38 . In its preferred embodiment the second conduit connection means  38  forms a female threaded hose connection for threadingly receiving the communication conduit  36 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 3, the pump  30  is shown in greater detail. The pump  30  is anticipated as being of a submersible, self priming type. The discharge  33  provides a high pressure output in fluid communication from the low pressure intake  31 . The intake  31  is in fluid communication with the intake conduit  32 . A strainer  39  or other filtering means envelops an intake orifice of the intake conduit  32 , and thereby prevents introduction of rocks, stones, or other foreign objects into the pump  30  that would otherwise damage its operation. The intake conduit  32  is anticipated as penetrating a pool sidewall or otherwise communicating pool liquid to the pump  30  or submersed as described in greater detail below. 
     Further, the pump  30  is connected by a linkage  40  to a drive motor  42  that is powered by an electrical supply means  44  such as to power the pump  30 . Such an electrical supply means  44  can include a long, water-tight power cord that may include an on/off switch for controlling the electrical power. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4-5, the upper end  12  is shown in greater detail. The flat upper slide surface  16  is parallelly bound by a pair of raised side rails  45 . The female threaded hose coupling  38  is in fluid communication with a discharge nozzle  46  forming a discharge orifice  47  within a recess  48  beneath the flat upper slide surface  16 . This assembly hereby forms a water discharge means for providing a steady flow of water from the pump and down the slide. 
     Referring to FIG. 6 a , the lower end  14  of the present invention shows the preferred embodiment of supplying water to the pump intake. In this manner, a pool sidewall penetration  60  formed within a pool sidewall  62  provides for the strainer  39  to fittingly assemble therein, providing a fluid path to the pool water  64 . In this manner, the lower end  14  of the slide  10  can rest separately on the bottom of the pool. 
     Referring to FIG. 6 b , an alternate configuration is shown in which the strainer  39  is fully located and submerged within the pool water  64 , and only the intake conduit  32  translates through a pool sidewall penetration  60 . One advantage of such a configuration is the anticipated physical connection of the pool sidewall  62  to the slide  10  or side rail  45 . 
     Referring finally to FIG. 6 c , a second alternate configuration is shown in which the strainer  39  is formed integrally into the lower end  14  of the slide  10 , thereby forming a suction orifice  70  integrally at the bottom of the slide. An advantage of this configuration is the anticipated lack of modifications to the pool sidewall, thereby allowing use with many conventionally available portable pools. Similarly, such a configuration, with the addition of a fluid reservoir  80  fluid receiving reservoir for collecting liquid draining from the slide would allow for free-standing use without the need for a pool at all. 
     2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
     The use of the personal water slide takes two common backyard toys and combines them together to make an even more fun toy, in a manner which is quick, easy, safe and effective. To use the present invention, the communication conduit is connected between the pump and discharge nozzle, and turned on. Fluid from the pool will then be drawn up to the top of the slide and discharged down the slide surface, providing for a self contained water slide for individual yard use. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. By way of example, but not as a limitation, the present disclosure anticipates that by shutting off the water the apparatus can be used as an otherwise conventional slide; or, under the correct conditions and if facilities permit, a indoor water slide can also be configured. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.