초록 ▼

A slideable transport device that can be used to move articles across or over horizontal and, in particular, inclined or angled structure or surfaces. More specifically, the subject invention provides one or more embodiments of a cushioned slider, or similar device, capable of moving articles up and

A slideable transport device that can be used to move articles across or over horizontal and, in particular, inclined or angled structure or surfaces. More specifically, the subject invention provides one or more embodiments of a cushioned slider, or similar device, capable of moving articles up and down an incline, such as stairs or a hill, and also across more horizontal surfaces, such as floors or ground. Embodiments of the invention include a method by which articles can be transported by dragging up or down stairs or other inclined ground.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A device for transporting one or more articles, comprising: a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the top side has a top outer surface, wherein the bottom side has a bottom outer surface,wherein at least a portion of the top side is a top loading regio

1. A device for transporting one or more articles, comprising: a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the top side has a top outer surface, wherein the bottom side has a bottom outer surface,wherein at least a portion of the top side is a top loading region, wherein at least a portion of the bottom side is a bottom contact region,wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is flexible, wherein at least a portion of the body proximate the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is resilient, andwherein the body is configured such that when the device is positioned on a stairs having at least two stair edges, with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges, and one or more articles are positioned on the top loading region such that a weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges. 2. A device, according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a body interior positioned between the top outer surface and the bottom outer surface, and wherein the body interior, the top outer surface, and the bottom outer surface comprise a first material. 3. A device, according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a body interior positioned between the top outer surface and the bottom outer surface, wherein at least one of the body interior, top outer surface, and the bottom outer surface comprises a first material, wherein at least one other of the body interior, top outer surface, and the bottom outer surface comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is different than the first material. 4. A device, according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises a foam material. 5. A device, according to claim 4, wherein the body comprises an outer shell inside of which the body is disposed, and wherein the bottom outer surface is a bottom outer surface of the outer shell. 6. A device, according to claim 5, wherein the bottom outer surface of the outer shell comprises two or more materials. 7. A device, according to claim 1, wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region comprises a first material, wherein the bottom outer surface of at least a portion of the bottom side that is not the bottom contact region comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is different than the first material. 8. A device, according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one handle device. 9. A device, according to claim 8, wherein the handle device is a loop of material attached to the proximal end or attached proximate the proximal end of the body. 10. A device, according to claim 9, wherein the handle device comprises a hole through the body at or proximate the proximal end of the body. 11. A device, according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one tie operably connected to the body, wherein the at least one tie is configured to secure at least one of the one or more articles to the body. 12. A device, according to claim 11, further comprising: at least one securing mechanism operably connected to the body to which the at least one tie can be attached to secure the article to the body. 13. A device, according to claim 12, further comprising: at least one eyelet in the body. 14. A device, according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one support strand operably connected to and extending at least partially along a length of the body,wherein the length of the body is from the proximal end to the distal end. 15. A device, according to claim 14, wherein the support strand is further operably connected to the handle device. 16. A device, according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one pocket on the top side of the body. 17. A device, according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one stiffening member operably connected to the body. 18. A device, according to claim 17, further comprising: at least one sleeve attached to the body,wherein the at least one sleeve is configured to receive the at least one stiffening member. 19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is an uninterrupted surface. 20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforming to the corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges creates a corresponding at least one indentation in the bottom contact region, and wherein when the device is moved over the at least one of the plurality of stair edges, the at least one indentation increases friction between the at least one of the plurality of stair edges and the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region that resists such movement. 21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the increased friction provides more control over a speed of descent of the device down the stairs or reduces a risk of the device sliding down the stairs during an ascent of the stairs. 22. A method for transporting one or more articles, comprising: providing a device, wherein the device comprises:a body having a proximal end, a distal end, a top side, and a bottom side, wherein the top side has a top outer surface, wherein the bottom side has a bottom outer surface,wherein at least a portion of the top side is a top loading region, wherein at least a portion of the bottom side is a bottom contact region,wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is flexible, wherein at least a portion of the body proximate the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is resilient, andwherein the body is configured such that when the device is positioned on a stairs having at least two stair edges, with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges, and one or more articles are positioned on the top loading region such that a weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges;positioning the device on the stairs having at least two stair edges with a plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding plurality of stair edges of the at least two stair edges;positioning one or more articles on the top loading region of the device such that the weight of the one or more articles is supported by the top loading region, so that the weight of the one or more articles causes increased pressure on at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region in contact with a corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges, and the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforms to a corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges; andpulling the device so as to slidably move the device and the one or more articles positioned on the top loading region with respect to the at least one of the plurality of stair edges such that the one or more articles are transported. 23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the device further comprises:a handle device by which the device can be pulled to slidably move the device and the one or more articles. 24. The method according to claim 22, wherein the device further comprises: at least one tie operably connected to the body,wherein the at least one tie is configured to secure at least one of the one or more articles to the body, further comprising:securing the at least one of the one or more articles to the body via the at least one tie. 25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the device further comprises:at least one securing mechanism operably connected to the body to which the at least one tie can be attached to secure at least one of the one or more articles to the body, further comprising:attaching the at least one tie to the at least one securing mechanism to secure the at least one of the one or more articles. 26. The method, according to claim 25, wherein the body further comprises: one or more eyelets to which at least one of the at least one tie and at least one securing mechanism can be operably connected, further comprising:operably connecting at least one of the at least one tie and at least one securing mechanism to the one or more eyelets. 27. The method, according to claim 26, further comprising: securing the one or more articles to the device utilizing the eyelets with the ties. 28. The method, according to claim 25, further comprising: raising the distal end of the body so that the top side abuts at least one of the one or more articles positioned on the top loading region; andsecuring at least one of the one or more ties to at least one of the one or more securing mechanisms so that the top side of the raised portion of the body is secured against at least one of the one or more articles. 29. The method, according to claim 28, further comprising: utilizing at least one eyelet with the at least one tie and the at least one securing mechanism to secure the top side of the raised portion of the body against the one or more articles. 30. The method, according to claim 22, further comprising: raising at least a portion of the proximal end of the body, so that at least one of the one or more articles on the top side abuts a raised portion of the body, such that the raised portion of the body supports the at least one of the one or more articles and prevents the one or more articles from sliding towards the proximal end of the body. 31. The method, according to claim 30, further comprising: adjusting the portion of the body that is raised, as the device is pulled, so that the one or more articles abut against more or less of the raised portion of the body as the device is pulled. 32. The method, according to claim 22, wherein the bottom outer surface of the bottom contact region is an uninterrupted surface. 33. The method according to claim 22, wherein the bottom outer surface of the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region at least partially conforming to the corresponding at least one shape of the corresponding at least one of the plurality of stair edges creates a corresponding at least one indentation in the bottom contact region, and wherein when the device is moved over the at least one of the plurality of stair edges, the at least one indentation increases friction between the at least one of the plurality of stair edges and the at least one of the plurality of portions of the bottom contact region that resists such movement. 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the increased friction provides more control over a speed of descent of the device down the stairs or reduces a risk of the device sliding down the stairs during an ascent of the stairs.