U.S. patent application number 11/393470 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-11 for means for attaching a carpet skate to a user's foot.
This patent application is currently assigned to Simtec, Co.. Invention is credited to Donald V. Edwards.
Application Number | 20070234508 11/393470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38573516 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070234508 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Edwards; Donald V. |
October 11, 2007 |
Means for attaching a carpet skate to a user's foot
Abstract
A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device,
the carpet slide comprises a first member having a predetermined
shape and a predetermined size, such first member is formed from a
flexible sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom
surface, the flexible sheet of material having a predetermined
coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease
of sliding on a carpeted floor. There is a means engageable with
such first member for securing said carpet slide to a user's
foot.
Inventors: |
Edwards; Donald V.;
(Harrison City, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Assignee: |
Simtec, Co.
|
Family ID: |
38573516 |
Appl. No.: |
11/393470 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
16/42R |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/209 20150115;
A43B 3/16 20130101; A43B 5/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
016/042.00R |
International
Class: |
A47B 91/06 20060101
A47B091/06 |
Claims
1. A carpet slide for use as a recreational entertainment device,
said carpet slide comprising: (a) a first member having a
predetermined shape and a predetermined size, said first member
formed from a flexible sheet of material having an upper surface
and a bottom surface, said flexible sheet of material having a
predetermined coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient
to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor; (b) a means
engageable with said first member for securing said carpet slide to
a user's foot.
2. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein a first portion
of said means is disposed along said upper surface of said first
member adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a front
portion of said first member and a back portion of said first
member and a second portion of said means is disposed along said
upper surface of said first member adjacent a substantially
radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof between said
front portion of said first member and said back portion of said
first member.
3. The carpet slide, according to claim 2, wherein at least one of
said first portion and said second portion of said means is a hook
like member.
4. The carpet slide, according to claim 3, wherein both of said
first portion and said second portion of said means are hook like
members.
5. The carpet slide, according to claim 4, wherein said hook like
members of said first portion and said second portion are
substantially identical.
6. The carpet slide, according to claim 3, wherein an open portion
of said hook like member is facing a front end of said carpet
slide.
7. The carpet slide, according to claim 4, wherein said hook like
member is a double hook having an open end of one portion of said
double hook facing a front end of said carpet slide and an open end
of a second portion of said double hook facing a back end of said
carpet slide.
8. The carpet slide, according to claim 2, wherein a third portion
of said means includes at least one elastomeric member engageable
with said first portion and said second portion of said means for
securing said first member to a user's foot.
9. The carpet slide, according to claim 7, wherein said elastomeric
member is a rubber band.
10. The carpet slide, according to claim 5, wherein said rubber
band has a predetermined width.
11. The carpet slide, according to claim 10, wherein said
predetermined width is between about 1/4 inch and about 1/2
inch.
12. The carpet slide, according to claim 11, wherein said
predetermined width is between about 5/16 inch and about 7/16
inch.
13. The carpet slide, according to claim 9, wherein said at least
one elastomeric member includes a second elastomeric member, said
second elastomeric member engageable with said first portion of
said means and with said second portion of said means for securing
said first member to a heel portion of a user's foot.
14. The carpet slide, according to claim 13, wherein said second
elastomeric member is a second rubber band, said second rubber band
being longer than said first elastomeric member.
15. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined shape of said first member includes an upturned
perimeter edge.
16. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined shape of said first member further includes said
bottom surface being convex in a direction disposed transverse to a
length of said first member.
17. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said carpet
slide further includes a non slip surface material disposed on said
upper surface of said first member.
18. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said first
member is formed from plastic.
19. The carpet slide, according to claim 1, wherein said bottom
surface of said first member closely adjacent said front portion
thereof includes a predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges
formed therein for providing walking and running traction on a
surface.
20. The carpet slide, according to claim 19, wherein said
predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are formed facing
toward a rearward heel portion of said bottom surface.
21. The carpet slide, according to claim 19, wherein said
predetermined plurality of saw tooth ridges are arcuately shaped.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates, in general, to a slide used
for recreational purposes and, more particularly, the present
invention relates to a means for attaching a carpet slide to a
user's foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 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 can
enable a person to slide for recreational purposes. Skis are used
to slide on snow and ice skates are used to move on ice. But, as it
is also generally known in the art, these prior art devices require
something to provide the impetus for moving, such as rollers or
wheels as are found on roller skates and skateboards, or at least a
slippery surface such as snow or ice in order to enable these prior
art devices, such as skis or ice skates to work effectively.
[0003] Additionally, other than U.S. Pat. No. 6,981,294 by the
present inventor which discloses a slide which is designed
specifically for use indoors on carpeted surfaces, there were no
devices known to Applicant which are designed specifically for use
indoors on carpeted surfaces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a first aspect the present invention provides a carpet
slide for use as a recreational entertainment device, the carpet
slide comprises a first member having a predetermined shape and a
predetermined size, such first member is formed from a flexible
sheet of material having an upper surface and a bottom surface, the
flexible sheet of material having a predetermined coefficient of
friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on
a carpeted floor. There is a means engageable with such first
member for securing said carpet slide to a user's foot.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0005] 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.
[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is relatively
inexpensive to manufacture.
[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is easy to
use.
[0008] 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.
[0009] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
recreational device for use on carpeted floors which is relatively
light weight.
[0010] 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.
[0011] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a recreational device for use on carpeted floors which can be used
by persons having different size feet.
[0012] 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.
[0013] These and various other objects and advantages of this
invention will become apparent after a full reading of the
following detailed description, particularly, when read in
conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a top view of the carpet slide according to an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the carpet slide shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 as taken across the line of III-III.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elastomeric member used
to secure the carpet slide to a user's foot.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the elastomeric member used to
secure the heel portion of the user's foot.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the carpet slide shown in FIG. 1
showing the arcuate ridges on the carpet slide.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the carpet slide shown in
FIG. 1 according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of
the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of
clarity, identical components which have identical functions have
been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the
several views illustrated in the drawings.
[0022] Now reference is made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS.
1-7. 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. Such flexible sheet of material has a predetermined
coefficient of friction which is at least sufficient to enable ease
of sliding on a carpeted floor.
[0023] Such carpet slide 10 further includes a means, generally
designated 20, that is engageable with such first member 11 for
securing the carpet slide 10 to a user's foot. A first portion 2 of
the means 20 is disposed along the upper surface of the first
member 11 adjacent a first outer edge portion thereof between a
front portion of the first member 11 and a back portion of the
first member 11 and a second portion 4 of the means is disposed
along the upper surface of the first member 11 adjacent a
substantially radially opposed second outer edge portion thereof
between the front portion of the first member 11 and the back
portion of the first member 11. At least one of the first portion 2
and the second portion 4 of the means 20 is a hook like member 6.
It is presently preferred that such first portion 2 and said second
portion 4 of the means 20 are both hook like members 6; however,
one of such first portion 2 and second portion 4 could be just a
circular loop. It is also preferred that such first portion 2 and
such second portion 4 are substantially identical. An open portion
of such hook like member 6 is facing a front end of the carpet
slide 10.
[0024] A third portion of the means 20 includes at least one
elastomeric member 32 that is engageable with the first portion 2
and the second portion 4 of the means 20 for securing the first
member 11 to a user's foot. Such elastomeric member 32 is a rubber
band 32. Such rubber band 32 hooks onto the hook like members 6 and
the user slides his foot under the rubber band 32 or the rubber
band 32 is placed over the foot. Such foot may be wearing a shoe or
be without a shoe. The rubber band 32 will be strong enough to
secure the first member 11 to the user's foot. Such rubber band
must be elastic enough to adjust to different foot sizes but it
must also be sufficiently strong enough to not distort when in
action and so cause the foot to slide on the carpet slide.
Therefore, such rubber band should have a predetermined width. Such
predetermined width is between about 1/4 inch and about 1/2 inch.
It is even more preferred if such predetermined width is between
about 5/16 inch and about 7/16 inch.
[0025] The means 20 of carpet slide 10 further includes a second
elastomeric member 34. Such second elastomeric member 34 is
engageable with the first portion 2 of the means 20 and with the
second portion 4 of the means 20 for securing the first member 11
to a heel portion of a user's foot.
[0026] Such second elastomeric member (rubber band) 34 is longer
than the first elastomeric member since it must stretch for a
longer distance. Further, this rubber band 34 does not have to be
as wide or possess the strength as such first rubber band 32.
[0027] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG.
7, such hook like member 6 is a double hook 8 which has an open end
of one portion of the double hook 8 facing a front end of the
carpet slide 10 and an open end of a second portion of the double
hook 8 facing a back end of the carpet slide. In this arrangement
such first elastomeric member 32 can engage the second portion of
such double hook 8 so as to which provide additional strength when
such user is skating in a forward direction and stops suddenly. The
open portion of the hook 6 or double hook 8 is minimal so there is
little chance of the rubber band 32 or 34 slipping off the hook
member 6, 8.
[0028] As mentioned previously, the predetermined shape of such
carpet slide 10 includes an upturned perimeter edge. This prevents
snagging on the carpeted floor and provides for smoother skating.
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.
[0029] 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, from slipping on the
upper surface 12. Other non-skid surfaces may be substituted.
[0030] The first member 11 of such carpet slide 10 is formed of a
flexible sheet of plastic and it is important that such plastic
material having a predetermined coefficient of friction which is at
least sufficient to enable ease of sliding on a carpeted floor.
[0031] Referring next to FIG. 6, 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. These ribs are of a sawtooth configuration having ridges
which face to or toward the rearward heel portion of the bottom
surface of first member 11. It is presently preferred that the saw
tooth ribs are arcuately shaped.
[0032] Thus, as the participant moves forward by walking or running
when playing an athletic event, such as hockey, the sawtooth ribs
will dig into the carpet surface and provide enhanced traction. Yet
by reason of the fact that the ridges face rearward, this permits
the participant to easily slide forward or to the side, when
desired, on the carpeted surface.
[0033] While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate
embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail
above, it should be understood that various other adaptations
and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons
who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from
either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended
claims.
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