Modular Slide Apparatus and System

Abstract

A modular slide for use on a staircase includes at least a first slide module with an entry section having an entry surface defining a seat and a gripping surface substantially opposite the entry surface. The modular slide also has a ramp section with an elongated surface extending from the entry section towards a terminal end of the ramp section, an underside being configured to rest upon portions of the staircase, and two opposing sidewalls spanning both the ramp section and the entry section and having an upper edge defining a handrail. An identical second slide module is configured to overlap and integrate with an upper portion of the first slide module to form a continuous slide surface and a continuous handrail of an extended modular slide.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular slide apparatus for use on a staircase, the modular slide apparatus comprising:
 an entry section comprising:
 an entry surface defining a seat; and 
 a gripping surface substantially opposite the entry surface, the gripping surface being configured to interface with a tread of an upper stair of the staircase; 
   a ramp section comprising:
 an elongated surface extending from the entry surface of the entry section at a downward angle towards a terminal end of the ramp section; and 
 an underside configured to rest upon portions of the staircase; and 
   two sidewalls spanning opposing lateral sides of both the ramp section and the entry section, the two sidewalls each comprising an upper edge having a smooth upper surface defining a handrail.   
     
     
         2 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the terminal end of the ramp section is configured to interface with an additional modular slide apparatus to form a modular slide of increased length. 
     
     
         3 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gripping surface comprises a rubber material configured to increase friction between the gripping surface and the tread of the upper stair. 
     
     
         4 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp section comprises a length such that the terminal end is suspended above a floor or tread of a lower stair of the staircase when in use. 
     
     
         5 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a curved lateral profile between the gripping surface of the entry section and an upper end of the ramp section, such that the entry surface is suspended above the tread of the upper stair when in use. 
     
     
         6 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two sidewalls extend upwardly at an angle away from one another. 
     
     
         7 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the two sidewalls comprises a terminal edge proximate the terminal end of the ramp section, the terminal edge being angled away from the entry section. 
     
     
         8 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the ramp section is configured to span three stairs of a standard residential staircase. 
     
     
         9 . The modular slide apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a substantial portion of the modular slide apparatus is constructed of a single piece of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. 
     
     
         10 . A modular slide assembly for use on a staircase, the modular slide assembly comprising:
 first and second slide modules, each comprising:
 an entry section comprising:
 an entry surface defining a seat; and 
 a gripping surface substantially opposite the entry surface, the gripping surface being configured to interface with a tread of a stair of the staircase; 
 
 a ramp section comprising:
 an elongated surface extending from the entry surface of the entry section at a downward angle towards a terminal end of the ramp section; and 
 an underside configured to rest upon one or more stair nosings of the staircase; and 
 left and right sidewalls spanning opposing lateral sides of both the ramp section and the entry section, the left and right sidewalls each comprising an upper edge having a smooth upper surface defining a handrail, 
 
   wherein the underside of the second slide module is sized and shaped to integrate with the entry surface and the elongated surface of the first slide module to form a modular slide having an extended ramp section.   
     
     
         11 . The modular slide assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the gripping surfaces of the first and second slide modules integrate with separate stair treads of the staircase when the extended ramp section is formed. 
     
     
         12 . The modular slide assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second slide modules are substantially identical in shape and size. 
     
     
         13 . The modular slide assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the left and right sidewalls of the second slide module are configured to overlap and integrate with respective left and right sidewalls of the first slide module to form continuous left and right sidewalls of the modular slide. 
     
     
         14 . A method for installation of a modular slide on a staircase comprising:
 installing a first slide module on a first step, wherein a gripping surface on an underside of the first slide module interfaces with a tread of the first step, and wherein a ramp section of the first slide extends over one or more successive steps below the first step, each of the one or more successive steps being located below the first step; and   installing a second slide module on a second step, the second step being at least one step above the first step, wherein a gripping surface on an underside of the second slide module interfaces with a tread of the second step, and wherein a ramp section of the second slide module overlaps and integrates with an upper portion of the first slide module to form a continuous slide surface.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second slide modules are substantially identical in size and shape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second slide module comprises an entry surface substantially opposite the gripping surface thereof, such that friction between the gripping surface and the tread of the second step increases when a user sits on the entry surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising installing a pad on a floor at a bottom end of a staircase, the pad acting as a landing area. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the first and second slide modules are configured to span three stairs of a standard residential staircase, such that the continuous slide surface spans up to five stairs when the second slide module overlaps the upper portion of the first slide module. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second slide modules each comprise at least one sidewall defining a handrail, the sidewall of the second slide module being configured to overlap and integrate with the sidewall of the first slide module to form a continuous handrail corresponding to the continuous slide surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising installing a third slide module on a third step, the third step being at least one step above the second step, wherein a gripping surface on an underside of the third slide module interfaces with a tread of the third step, and wherein a ramp section of the third slide module overlaps and integrates with an upper portion of the second slide module to extend the continuous slide surface.