Tube slide

Abstract

A helical tube slide that includes a plurality one-piece half-tube portions that are each substantially dimensionally the same. Two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a first curved tubular segment that defines a first portion of the tube slide. Another two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a second curved tubular segment that defines a second portion of the tube slide. The tube slide further includes a fastener that couples the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment.

1 . A helical tube slide comprising:
 a plurality of one-piece half-tube portions, each of the plurality of the half-tube portions being substantially dimensionally the same; and   a fastener,   wherein two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a first curved tubular segment that defines a first portion of the tube slide,   wherein another two of the plurality of half-tube portions are coupled together to define a second curved tubular segment that defines a second portion of the tube slide, and   wherein the fastener couples the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment.   
   
   
       2 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of half-tube portions are substantially identical. 
   
   
       3 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener includes a plurality of bolts, wherein each of the plurality of half-tube portions includes a flange and a plurality of apertures that extend through the flange, wherein one of the plurality of bolts extends through one of the plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       4 . The helical tube slide of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of apertures of each of the plurality of half-tube portions are spaced and configured in substantially identical configurations. 
   
   
       5 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of bolts utilized to couple the two of the plurality of half-tube portions to define the first curved tubular segment. 
   
   
       6 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of half-tube portions each define a curved longitudinal axis. 
   
   
       7 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , wherein the helical tube slide defines a helix, wherein the helix extends through at least about 90 degrees, and wherein the first curved tubular segment defines a first portion of the helix that extends through less than 90 degrees. 
   
   
       8 . The helical tube slide of  claim 7 , wherein the first portion of the helix defined by the first curved tubular segment extends through about 60 degrees, and wherein the second curved tubular segment defines a second portion of the helix that extends through about 60 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The helical tube slide of  claim 8 , wherein the helix extends through about 360 degrees, the tube slide further comprising third, fourth, and fifth curved tubular segments each formed from two of the plurality of half-tube portions. 
   
   
       10 . The helical tube slide of  claim 9 , wherein the tube slide defines an exit end, the tube slide further comprising a sixth curved tubular segment that at least partially defines the exit end, the six curved tubular segment formed from one of the plurality of one-piece half-tube portions and a half-tube portion that is not dimensionally the same as the plurality of one-piece half-tube portions. 
   
   
       11 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , further comprising a tapered entrance portion that defines an entrance of the tube slide, the tapered entrance portion defining an entrance area and an exit area, the exit area being less than the entrance area. 
   
   
       12 . The helical tube slide of  claim 11 , wherein the entrance area defines a rectangle and the exit area defines a circle. 
   
   
       13 . The helical tube slide of  claim 11 , wherein the entrance portion is coupled to a platform configured to mount to a support structure. 
   
   
       14 . The helical tube slide of  claim 13 , wherein the platform includes a floor and two sidewalls. 
   
   
       15 . The helical tube slide of  claim 1 , wherein the tube slide defines a continuous helix. 
   
   
       16 . The helical tube slide of  claim 15 , wherein the helix extends through about 360 degrees. 
   
   
       17 . A helical tube slide comprising:
 a first curved tubular segment defining a curved longitudinal axis;   a second curved tubular segment defining a curved longitudinal axis;   wherein the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment are coupled such that the longitudinal axes of the first and second curved tubular segments define a portion of a continuous helix.   
   
   
       18 . The helical tube slide of  claim 17 , wherein the continuous helix is greater than 90 degrees. 
   
   
       19 . The helical tube slide of  claim 18 , wherein the first curved tubular segment defines a first portion of the helix that extends through less than 90 degrees. 
   
   
       20 . The helical tube slide of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion of the helix defined by the first curved tubular segment extends through about 60 degrees, and wherein the second curved tubular segment defines a second portion of the helix that extends through about 60 degrees. 
   
   
       21 . The helical tube slide of  claim 18 , wherein the continuous helix is about 360 degrees. 
   
   
       22 . The helical tube slide of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second curved tubular segments are each formed from two of a plurality of half-tube portions, the plurality of the half-tube portions being substantially dimensionally the same. 
   
   
       23 . The helical tube slide of  claim 17 , further comprising a fastener that couples the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment to define a portion of the tube slide. 
   
   
       24 . The helical tube slide of  claim 23 , wherein the fastener includes a plurality of bolts, wherein the first and second tubular segments each include a flange and a plurality of apertures that extend through the flange, wherein one of the plurality of bolts extends through one of the plurality of apertures. 
   
   
       25 . A method of assembling a helical tube slide, the method comprising:
 selecting two of a plurality of one-piece half-tube portions each being substantially dimensionally the same;   coupling together the two of the plurality of half-tube portions to define a first curved tubular segment;   selecting another two of the plurality of one-piece half-tube portions each being substantially dimensionally the same;   coupling together the another two of the plurality of half-tube portions to define a second curved tubular segment; and   coupling together the first curved tubular segment and the second curved tubular segment to define at least a portion of the helical tube slide.