Trampoline slide and convertible slide assembly

Abstract

A trampoline slide assembly configured for use with a trampoline to facilitate efficient and enjoyable or fun mounting and dismounting of a trampoline. The trampoline slide assembly comprises, generally, a slide and means for securing the slide to the trampoline. More specifically, the trampoline slide assembly comprises a slide deck having a launch platform located thereon, wherein the slide deck is in close proximity to a jumping mat of the trampoline to facilitate accessibility therefrom, a lower landing situated in close proximity to a support surface; a slide having a contact surface extending between the launch platform and the lower landing, wherein the contact surface is oriented on an incline to facilitate a sliding action by a user, a step system operable with the slide to facilitate mounting and/or dismounting of the trampoline, wherein the step system is contiguous with the slide, and means for securing the trampoline slide assembly to a portion of the frame of the trampoline, wherein the means comprises any one of several different types of attachment configurations. The trampoline slide assembly may also be configured with a water delivery system to enable the trampoline slide to function as a water slide. Other types of trampoline slide assemblies may comprise inflatable slide assemblies in one or more configurations.

1 . A trampoline slide assembly configured for use with a land trampoline having a rigid frame, said trampoline slide assembly comprising: 
 a slide having a supported, inclined contact surface configured to facilitate a user sliding thereon; and    means for securing said slide to said rigid frame of said trampoline, at least a portion of said slide extending downward and away from said trampoline towards a support surface.    
   
   
       2 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a step system contiguous with said slide and configured to facilitate the mounting and/or dismounting of said trampoline, as well as the use of said slide.  
   
   
       3 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said step system comprises a staircase having at least one step.  
   
   
       4 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said step system comprises a ramp having an inclined surface, said ramp being contiguous with said slide.  
   
   
       5 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said step system further comprising a non-slip surface.  
   
   
       6 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a launch platform operatively related to said slide and configured to support a user and to provide an initial starting or sliding point for said user prior to sliding down said slide, and to ease the transition from said trampoline to said slide.  
   
   
       7 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said launch platform comprises a contact surface selected from the group consisting of a substantially horizontal contact surface, and a contact surface formed on an incline.  
   
   
       8 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 6 , further comprising a slide deck that extends outward from said slide in a substantially horizontal manner, said slide deck being configured to assist a user in accessing said trampoline slide assembly from said trampoline.  
   
   
       9 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising padding located about at least a portion thereof for providing protection to a user during use of said trampoline and said trampoline slide assembly.  
   
   
       10 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said padding is selected from the group consisting of existing padding of said trampoline, separate padding removably coupled to said trampoline slide assembly, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       11 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a terminal lower landing located at a base of and operatively related to said slide, said lower landing being configured to ease the transition from said slide to said support surface, and to slow the downward motion of said user upon sliding down said slide.  
   
   
       12 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said means for securing comprises: 
 a receiver operative with said slide, said receiver being configured to receive and engage a portion of said frame of said trampoline, thus securing said trampoline slide assembly to said trampoline,    said receiver comprising a u-shaped configuration that corresponds to a size and shape of said frame of said trampoline.    
   
   
       13 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said means for securing further comprises a releasable securing device configured to couple to said slide and to said frame, said securing device being configured to prevent said frame from releasing from said receiver once secured therein.  
   
   
       14 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 13 , wherein said securing device is selected from the group consisting of a rope, a strap, a clamp, a hook and loop fastener, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       15 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said means for securing comprises: 
 an attachment plate secured to said slide and configured to interface with said frame of said trampoline;    a receiving portion formed in said attachment plate for receiving said frame;    a mounting bracket configured to releasably couple said frame to said attachment plate, said mounting bracket being secured in place by a fastener.    
   
   
       16 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said means for securing comprises: 
 a u-shaped structure formed in said slide and configured to initially receive a portion of said frame; and    a locking component configured to prevent said frame from releasing through said u-shaped structure.    
   
   
       17 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 16 , further comprises a slot integrally formed with said u-shaped structure, said slot being configured to slidably receive said portion of said frame.  
   
   
       18 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 16 , wherein said u-shaped structure and said slot are formed in said slide at a location selected from a top surface, an underside surface, and a vertical face.  
   
   
       19 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a water delivery system operative with said trampoline slide assembly and configured to deliver water about said trampoline slide assembly to enable said trampoline slide assembly to function as a water slide.  
   
   
       20 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said water delivery system comprises: 
 a plurality of apertures formed in said slide, said apertures being configured to emit water onto a surface of said trampoline slide assembly; and    a water feed line operative with said slide to deliver water to one or more of said plurality of apertures, said water feed line being in fluid communication with a controllable fluid source.    
   
   
       21 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 19 , wherein said water delivery system comprises: 
 a bladder configured to be removably coupled to said slide, said bladder being in fluid communication with a controllable fluid source; and    a plurality of apertures formed in said bladder, said plurality of apertures being configured to emit water onto a surface of said trampoline slide assembly as delivered by said fluid source.    
   
   
       22 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more feet extending from said slide, said feet being configured to interface with said support surface to provide stability and steadiness to said slide.  
   
   
       23 . The trampoline slide assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising guard rails located adjacent said slide, said guard rails defining a boundary of said slide.  
   
   
       24 . A trampoline slide assembly configured for use with a land trampoline, said trampoline slide assembly comprising: 
 a slide deck having a launch platform located thereon, said slide deck being in close proximity to a jumping mat of said trampoline to facilitate accessibility therefrom;    a lower landing situated in close proximity to a support surface;    a slide having a contact surface extending between said launch platform and said lower landing, said contact surface being oriented on an incline to facilitate a sliding action by a user;    a step system operable with said slide to facilitate mounting and/or dismounting of said trampoline, said step system being contiguous with said slide; and    means for securing said trampoline slide assembly to a rigid frame component of said trampoline.    
   
   
       25 . A slide comprising: 
 a contact surface supported about a support surface and oriented on an incline, said contact surface being configured to facilitate a sliding action by a user from an elevated position to a lowered position; and    a step system integrally formed and operative with said slide to facilitate ascension up said slide and/or descension down said slide by said user.    
   
   
       26 . The slide of  claim 25 , wherein said step system comprises a configuration selected from the group consisting of a staircase, a ramp, and any combination of these.  
   
   
       27 . A trampoline slide assembly configured for use with a land trampoline, said trampoline slide assembly comprising: 
 a slide having a contact surface oriented on an incline, said contact surface being configured to facilitate a sliding action by a user;    a rigid frame operative to support said slide;    means for securing said trampoline slide assembly to a rigid frame component of said trampoline.    
   
   
       28 . A trampoline slide assembly configured for use with a land trampoline, said trampoline slide assembly comprising: 
 an inflatable component configured to form a pre-determined closed shape upon being inflated, said inflatable member having, at least as part of said shape, a slide comprising a supported, inclined contact surface configured to facilitate a user sliding down thereon to dismount said trampoline;    means for securing said inflatable member to a rigid frame component of said trampoline.    
   
   
       29 . A method for facilitating trampoline play, said method comprising: 
 providing a trampoline slide assembly operatively configured for use with a trampoline;    providing means for securing said trampoline slide assembly to a rigid frame of said trampoline; and    providing a slide oriented on an incline and configured to facilitate a sliding action by a user from a surface of said trampoline.    
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising providing a step system contiguous with said slide, said step system facilitating the mounting and dismounting of said trampoline via said step system.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising facilitating said trampoline slide assembly to function as a water slide, wherein water is caused to be emitted about said trampoline slide assembly.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said facilitating comprises: 
 providing a plurality of apertures formed in at least a portion of said trampoline slide assembly, said apertures being configured to emit water onto a surface of said trampoline slide assembly; and    connecting said plurality of apertures to a water feed line operative with said trampoline slide assembly to deliver water to one or more of said plurality of apertures, said water feed line being in fluid communication with a controllable fluid source.    
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said facilitating comprises: 
 providing a bladder configured to be removably coupled to said trampoline slide assembly, said bladder being in fluid communication with a controllable fluid source; and    providing a plurality of apertures formed in said bladder, said plurality of apertures being configured to emit water onto a surface of said trampoline slide assembly as delivered by said fluid source.    
   
   
       34 . A method for mounting and dismounting a trampoline, said method comprising: 
 obtaining a trampoline slide assembly operative with said trampoline, said trampoline slide assembly comprising a slide and a step system;    securing said trampoline slide assembly to said trampoline;    ascending said step system to mount said trampoline; and    sliding down said slide to dismount said trampoline.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising descending said step system to dismount said trampoline.