Landscape pool slide

Abstract

A method for installing a modular swimming pool slide for integration with landscaping elements. The method includes joining upper, lower, and intermediate slide shell segments in series and installing the joined segments adjacent a pool with a support kit supporting the upper slide segment on a surface adjacent the pool at a higher elevation than the lower slide shell segment. The intermediate slide shell segment is suspended above the surface adjacent the pool by the upper and lower slide shell segments. The joined slide shell segments define a single flume for receiving and guiding a human rider into the pool.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for installing a modular swimming pool slide for integration with landscaping elements, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an upper slide shell segment, a lower slide shell segment, and at least one intermediate slide shell segment;   joining the upper, lower, and intermediate slide shell segments in series so that the intermediate slide shell segment is connected between the lower slide shell segment and the upper slide shell segment; and   installing the joined slide shell segments adjacent a pool by disposing a support kit between the upper slide segment and a surface adjacent the pool such that the upper slide shell segment is supported at a higher elevation than the lower slide shell segment, and such that the intermediate slide shell segment is suspended above the surface adjacent the pool, by the upper and lower slide shell segments, and such that all the slide shell segments are positioned and aligned in such a way as to define a single flume for receiving and guiding a human rider along an upper section of the flume formed in the upper slide shell segment and guiding the rider along an intermediate section of the flume formed into the intermediate slide shell segment, and into the adjacent pool via a lower section of the flume formed in the lower slide shell segment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  including the additional step of providing landscape elements adjacent the upper slide shell segment, and above the level of a bottom end of the support kit. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  in which the step of providing landscaping includes building landscape elements shaped and positioned to provide additional support to at least one of the upper, intermediate, and lower, slide shell segments. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  in which the step of providing landscaping includes building landscape elements shaped and positioned to hide the support kit from view. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  in which the step of providing landscaping includes building a path leading from the pool to the upper slide shell to provide access for slide riders. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  in which the installing step additionally comprises supporting the one or more intermediate slide shell segments above the surface adjacent the pool via the lower slide shell segment and the upper slide shell segment. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3  in which the installing step includes; before the step of building landscape elements shaped and positioned to provide additional support to at least one of the upper, intermediate, and lower, slide shell segments; the step of supporting the one or more intermediate slide shell segments above the surface adjacent the pool by only the lower slide shell segment and the upper slide shell segment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  in which the support kit comprises metal tubes, and the installation step of  claim 1  includes installing the support kit by inserting the metal tubes into sockets in a bottom surface of the upper slide shell segment so that the tubes will support the upper slide shell segment at a higher level than the lower slide shell segment when the pool slide is placed upright on the surface adjacent the pool. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  in which the installing step additionally comprises anchoring the slide to the surface adjacent the pool by driving fasteners through fastener holes in feet located on the bottom of the support kit. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  in which:
 the providing step comprises providing intermediate slide shell segments that:
 comprise rotomolded hollow shells formed with stepped interfaces at upper and lower segment ends, the stepped interfaces being shaped to positively align with adjacent slide shell segments; and 
 include fastener holes that align with fastener holes in adjacent slide shell segments when the stepped interfaces are aligned; and 
 
 the step of joining the slide shell segments includes:
 aligning the stepped interfaces and fastener holes of the upper, lower, and intermediate slide shell segments; and then 
 securing all the slide shell segments together by securing fasteners through the aligned fastener holes of the slide shell segments. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  in which:
 the stepped interface of the upper slide shell segment is shaped to match a stepped interface of a ladder module of a pre-existing modular pool slide; and 
 the step of joining the slide shell segments additionally comprises retrofitting an intermediate module of the pre-existing pool slide with the upper slide shell module in place of the ladder module. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  in which the step of joining the slide shell segments additionally comprises providing gaskets between the slide shell segments and compressing the gaskets by securing the slide shell segments together.