Patent Publication Number: US-7594777-B2

Title: Wavy tactile walk path

Description:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to a design and construction of a modular wavy tactile path and its building block, enabling children to learn better balancing technique in their physical development. 
   As urban development takes up more space, today&#39;s children are put in more city-oriented environment where walkways are made flat and level, and hurdles and potential hazards are removed. There is less chance for them to learn to balance themselves while walking on uneven or treacherous surfaces. With this invention, children will learn to develop the ability to respond and adapt quickly to changing environment around them. 
   In light of the above-said situation, present invention provides for the construction of a wavy tactile path that can be made from modular units to form a wavy, uneven, sliding and slanting walk way that is fun for kids to walk on, like a “cliff”, while learning to balance themselves, thus enhancing their ability to quickly respond and adapt to environment that is less than ideal. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Present invention allows the creation of a fun, creative and wavy tactile walk way based upon modular units that can be stacked up for storage in small volume and can be used for connected with one another, making left-turn, right-turn or a full-circle shape, for children to balance themselves while walking on the path. 
   An object of present invention is to provide a walk path on top of which some groove lines and some raised ridges are a part of the surface for kids to walk on, so that kids can feel the touch of these uneven features with the bottom of their bare feet, helping to calm down kids&#39; emotional states and make learning activities more interesting. 
   These groove lines or raised edges serve as anti-skidding layer to increase the friction between the bottom of children&#39;s feet and the walk path surface. Alternatively, The anti-skidding layer can be made in the shape of raised dots or caved-in dots spread on the surface of such walk path. 
   A further object of present invention is to allow the construction of such wavy tactile using modular units, so that it is easy to disassemble the units for storage (taking up little room since they can be stacked together) and can be securely attached to one another when put together for use. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
       FIG. 1  shows the basic modular unit for the wavy tactile path. 
       FIG. 2  shows the basic modular units connected into the shape of a circle path. 
       FIG. 3  shows the basic modular units connected into the shape of a curvy line. 
       FIG. 4  shows the basic modular units being stacked on top of one another. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In  FIG. 1 , a basic modular unit  10  is shown. Two variations are presented herein, with one having anti-skid padding in the shape of straight ridges/grooves  16 , and the other having anti-skid padding in the shape of round dots  15 . 
   One embodiment of said modular unit  10  is a three-dimensional arc-shaped block with a central undulation, so that it has a peak height in the center and tapers gently down towards two sides and the two longitudinal ends. 
   Said modular unit  10  has a slight horizontal bend (light curve) in its longitudinal axis, so that if all such units are connected in the same direction, a circle shape or annular disc will be formed. 
   At one longitudinal end of said unit  10 , there is a connecting tab  12  and a connecting hole  14 ; at the other longitudinal end of said unit  10 , there is a connecting tab  11  and a connecting hole. That way, connecting tab  12  on one modular unit  10  can be securely attached to connecting hole  13  of the next modular unit  10 . 
   Such connection of a multiple unit  10  can be done in any way users desired, to form a round circle or a curvy line, or any shape that fits the interest of children who will walk on such path. 
   At the bottom side edge of basic modular unit  10 , an anti-skid strip  17  is formed, so that the bottom surface of said unit touching the ground has good friction and provides protection against skidding for the units and for a completed walk way. 
     FIG. 2  shows that a round walk path is formed by connecting basic units  10  in the same orientation. 
     FIG. 3  shows a curvy line walk path is formed by connecting basic units  10  in alternating fashion. 
     FIG. 4  shows that when disassembled, said basic units  10  can be stacked together, resulting in minimum space for a plurality of said unit  10 , easy for storage. 
   Said anti-skid padding can be in the form of ridges/grooves  16 , or in the form of dots  15 , which can be made to be raised dots or caved in “craters”, producing interesting touch sensation for children to walk on with bare feet. 
   The three-dimensional arc, having peak height in the center of each basic unit  10  provides challenge to children to balance themselves, while they can experience walking on the edge, just before falling, to enjoy the excitement of challenging themselves, without adults worrying that kids will get serious injuries.