Patent Publication Number: US-6981294-B2

Title: Carpet slide for recreational use

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/233,366 filed Sep. 3, 2002 which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/086,282 filed Mar. 4, 2002, both applications now abandoned. 

   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 THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of the carpet slide according to a presently preferred embodiment of the invention without the inclusion of the securing strap for securing the slide to a user&#39;s foot; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 1  without the saw tooth style gripping teeth; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the carpet slide shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as seen along section line III—III of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is another top view of the apparatus of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 1  with the inclusion of the securement straps for securing the device to the user&#39;s foot; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view in section as viewed along section V—V of  FIG. 4  showing the detail of the attachment of the securement strap to the perimeter edge of the carpet slide; 
       FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating one embodiment of transverse saw tooth ribs on the forward toe portion of the slide for providing walking or running traction; 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 6  engaging the carpet; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the slide of  FIGS. 6 and 7  integrally secured as a sole piece to an athletic shoe; 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the presently preferred embodiment of arcuate saw tooth ribs on the forward toe portion of the slide for providing walking or running traction; 
       FIG. 10  is a bottom view of the carpet slide shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the presently preferred embodiment of arcuate saw tooth ribs disposed along an outer edge of the slide for enabling easier turning in a predetermined direction; and 
       FIG. 11  is a plan view illustrating a strap member for engaging the user&#39;s heel attached to the pair of side straps. 
   

   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 drawing  FIGS. 1 through 7 . Illustrated therein is a carpet slide, generally designated  10 , manufactured according to the present invention. Such carpet slide  10  includes a first member  11  preferably formed from a flexible sheet of plastic material having an upper surface  12  and a bottom surface  13 . In one of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention the first member  11  includes an upturned perimeter edge  14 . 
   There is at least one strap like member which forms at least a portion of a means  15  for retaining such recreational shoe on a wearer&#39;s foot. Such at least one strap like member (not shown) includes a first end and a second end. 
   As illustrated best in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the means  15  is preferably in the form of a two piece strap having strap segments  16  and  17 . In the presently preferred embodiment of the invention there is a hook and loop type material (VELCRO®) applied for securing the strap segments  16  and  17  to the perimeter edge  14  and also for securing the loose ends  18  and  19  of such strap segments  16  and  17  together. Strap  16  is provided with hook material  20  for securement to the loop surface  21  of strap  17 . 
   In similar fashion, the under surface  22  of terminating end  23  of strap  16  may be provided with hoop material to engage loop material  20  after terminating end  23  of strap  16  has been passed through aperture  25  of upturn perimeter edge  14 . 
   Strap  17  connects to the perimeter edge  14  in the same fashion, except that the hook and loop surfaces may be reversed. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 11  there is a third strap like member  44  connected to strap like members  16  and  17  for abutting the heel of the user. 
   It is presently preferred that the bottom surface  13  of first member  11  is made to be convex in order to provide minimal surface contact with the carpet surface over which the carpet slide  10  is to be used. This provides minimal contact area and less friction and a more enjoyable sliding experience. 
   The upper surface  12  of the first member  11  is also provided, in the presently preferred embodiment, with a nonslip surface  26  which may be in the form of a foam pad to help prevent ones foot, as indicated by dashed outline  27 , from slipping on the upper surface  12 . Other non-skid surfaces may be substituted. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a modification of the carpet slide shown in the previous figures is illustrated wherein the carpet slide  10  includes transverse sawtooth ribs  30  on the forward toe portion  31 . These ribs  30  are of a sawtooth configuration having ridges  32  which face to or toward the rearward heel portion  33  of the bottom surface  13  of first member  11 . As best seen in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , it is presently preferred that the saw tooth ribs  40  are arcuately shaped. 
   Thus, as the participant moves forward by walking or running when playing an athletic event, such as hockey, the sawtooth ribs  30  or  40  will dig into the carpet surface and provide enhanced traction. Yet by reason of the fact that the ridges  32  face rearward, this permits the participant to easily slide forward or to the side, when desired, on the carpeted surface. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 8 , another modification of the present invention is illustrated wherein the means for securing the carpet slide  10  to ones foot is accomplished through the use of a conventional athletic shoe  35 . The top face  13  of the slide itself is permanently glued directly to the sole of the shoe and provides a permanent sole for the shoe  35 . 
   A presently preferable material for the carpet slide&#39;s first member  11  is a slippery flexible plastic, such as manufactured under the trademark Teflon. 
   Reference is now made, more particularly, to  FIGS. 9 through 11  wherein there is illustrated the presently preferred embodiment of the invention. As seen therein in addition to the saw tooth ribs  40  being arcuately shaped there is provided at least one saw tooth ridge  42  formed on said bottom surface  13  substantially parallel to a length of said first member  11  and/or recreational shoe. 
   It can be seen, in summary, that the carpet slide  10  of 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&#39;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.