Slide

• US 4,196,900 A
• Filed: 08/03/1978
• Issued: 04/08/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Demag AG
• Original Assignee: Demag AG
• Inventors: Becker, Klaus, Lichtenvort, Uwe, Behrmann, Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kramer, Arnold W.
• Application Number:
  US05/930,565
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 272/56.5 R, 272/56.5 S, 272/1 B, 272/32, 104/69, 104/70, 104/72, 104/73, 104/56, 104/57, 104/63, 104/64, 104/67, 104/134, 104/135, 104/136, 104/59, 104/86, 193/12, 193/13, 193/35 S, 182/48, 182/49, 182/176
• US Class Current: 472/117
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/00 Chutes; Helter-skelters
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/10 with spiral tracks
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 21/18 Water-chutes

Abstract

A slide is provided with a simplified support construction involving a reduced number of parts at reduced cost. Also, the appearance of the slide is improved by placing a substantial portion of the reduced support directly under the slide path. Each slide path may include only four vertical supports with the slide supported on those supports with only four cantilevered brackets. The brackets hold four girder segments extending end-to-end directly under the slide path.

Claims

1. A self-supporting tower slide for people which may be assembled on any relatively level surface comprising

(a) an upper slide access platform;

(b) a ground level slide exit;

(c) a continuous slide extending from said upper slide access platform to said slide exit;

(d) said slide having a semi-circular slide surface and formed with straight and curved sections;

the improvement characterized by

(e) a support for said slide comprised of at least one vertical stanchion;

(f) said vertical stanchion resting on the ground and extending to said slide;

(g) a plurality of horizontal cantilevered brackets spaced along said vertical stanchion;

(h) one end of each said horizontal bracket attached to said vertical stanchion;

(i) a substantially horizontal brace extending along the path of said slide;

(j) said horizontal brace inclined to engage the bottom surface of said slide sections;

(k) said horizontal brace comprised of elongated segments of a length substantially greater than said slide sections;

(l) each said cantilevered bracket connected to said horizontal brace at the end thereof opposite said vertical stanchion; and

(m) access means extending from the ground to said upper access platform and supported on said vertical stanchion.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) each said brace segment having a hollow profile in cross section.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized by

(a) each said hollow brace segment formed by two U-shaped parts welded together in facing relationship.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, further characterized by

(a) each said hollow brace segment having lateral connecting flanges extending from each side thereof.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further characterized by

(a) a supporting yoke at the upper end of each slide section;

and

(b) said yoke having an abutment for engagement of the lower end of the next succeeding slide section.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by each said yoke comprising

(a) an integral horizontal extension;

and

(b) means for connecting each said yoke to the adjacent brace segment.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by said connecting means including

(a) a bore hole in said extension;

(b) a connecting bolt extending through said bore hole and connected to said adjacent brace segment; and

(c) said connecting bolt being length adjustable.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further characterized by said connecting means including

(a) a connecting bolt extending through said bore hole;

(b) a clamp plate disposed on said connecting bolt; and

(c) said clamp plate engaging said lateral connecting flanges on the said adjacent hollow brace segment.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by

(a) the part of each said supporting yoke engaging said slide section being embedded in said slide section.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, further characterized by

(a) railings along said slide sections;

and

(b) said railings supported in said yokes.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, further characterized by

(a) angular end connecting pieces on the ends of each of said horizontal brackets;

and

(b) said end pieces angled to engage the said respective brace segment.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized by

(a) each said hollow brace segment being tubular.

13. The apparatus of claim 2, further characterized by

(a) said hollow brace segments being filled with a liquid;

and

(b) each said segment having at least one opening for filling.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) at least some of said horizontal brace segments being curved;

(b) said curved segments having a wrap angle of 90°

; and

(c) each said horizontal brace segment having at each end thereof a flange plate for joining adjacent segments together.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, further characterized by

(a) filler plates for insertion between the adjoining flange plates of connected together brace segments.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) said slide sections and said brace segments inclined at an angle from horizontal of about 9°

.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) each said horizontal bracket having a hollow profile.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) two horizontal brackets extending from said vertical stanchion at one point thereof;

(b) said two brackets being positioned to form a V; and

(c) the ends of said two brackets connected to succeeding connected together brace segments.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further characterized by

(a) angular end connecting pieces on the ends of each of said horizontal brackets;

and

(b) said end pieces angled to engage the said respective brace segment.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) each said horizontal bracket including a borehole adjacent the end connected to said vertical stanchion;

and

(b) said boreholes for receiving said vertical stanchion therein.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further characterized by

(a) the diameter of each said borehole being 5% greater than the diameter of said vertical stanchion.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, further characterized by

(a) L-shaped flange connections disposed between each said horizontal bracket and said vertical stanchion;

and

(b) said flange connections positioned on both sides of said vertical stanchion with one connected on the upper side of said bracket and one on the lower side of said bracket.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, further characterized by

(a) adjusting screws on said flange connections for adjusting the connection between each said horizontal bracket and said vertical stanchion.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by each said slide section comprising

(a) a foamed internal portion of a synthetic material;

(b) solid surface portions surrounding said internal portion, said solid surface portions comprised of a synthetic material; and

(c) reinforcement webs in said solid surface portions.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by said access means comprising

(a) a spiral staircase;

and

(b) intermediate landings in said staircase.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, further characterized by

(a) water supply means extending to the top of said slide;

and

(b) said water supply means including water jet means at the beginning of said slide.