Ride vehicle for a recreational slide

Abstract

A ride vehicle that is configured to support a rider down a non-wet lubricated recreational slide is provided. The ride vehicle includes an elongate body with a flexible central core positioned between a top surface of the ride vehicle and at least one layer that includes one or more projections. The top surface may include at least on handle for gripping by a rider. The at least one layer forms a bottom surface of the ride vehicle that is configured to contact the non-wet lubricated recreational slide. A coefficient of friction between the at least one layer of the ride vehicle and the non-wet lubricated slide surface is within a range of between about 0.03 to about 0.2.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ride vehicle configured to support a rider down a non-wet lubricated recreational slide, the ride vehicle comprising:
 an elongate body that extends between a first end and an opposite second end, the body including a flexible central core positioned between a top surface of the ride vehicle and at least one layer that forms a bottom surface of the ride vehicle, wherein the at least one layer includes one or more projections that are configured to contact the non-wet lubricated recreational slide; and   at least one handle attached to the top surface of the ride vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises a unitary sheet of material. 
     
     
         3 . The ride vehicle of  claim 2 , wherein the unitary sheet of material is a polymeric film. 
     
     
         4 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises one or more of the following:
 polyethylene terephthalate;   polyethylene;   ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene;   high-density polyethylene; and   Nylon.   
     
     
         5 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises a composite layer including a substrate layer and a layer including the one or more projections. 
     
     
         6 . The ride vehicle of  claim 5 , wherein the layer including the one or more projections is a polymeric film. 
     
     
         7 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections define a projection area of the at least one layer, wherein the projection area is within a range of between about 30% to about 80% of a total surface area of an outer surface of the at least one layer. 
     
     
         8 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer includes a generally planar outer surface from which the one or more projections project. 
     
     
         9 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of projections evenly distributed in an array across the at least one layer. 
     
     
         10 . The ride vehicle of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of projections are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction and/or a lateral direction to define the array. 
     
     
         11 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of rounded protrusions. 
     
     
         12 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of pointed protrusions. 
     
     
         13 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of ridges. 
     
     
         14 . The ride vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of ridges extend in a straight path in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end of the elongate body of the ride vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . The ride vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of ridges extends in a sinuous path in a longitudinal direction between the first end and the second end of the elongate body of the ride vehicle. 
     
     
         16 . The ride vehicle of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of ridges are arranged in parallel. 
     
     
         17 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more projections comprise a plurality of raised elements that are organic in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a carrying handle attached to the top surface of the ride vehicle, the carrying handle being located in a central region between the first end and the second end of the elongate body of the ride vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The ride vehicle of  claim 18 , wherein when lifted by the carrying handle, the ride vehicle is configured to fold along a fold edge for carrying. 
     
     
         20 . The ride vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the fold edge is formed in the central region.  21  The ride vehicle of  claim 19 , wherein the carrying handle is located adjacent the fold edge. 
     
     
         22 . The ride vehicle of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric layer that defines the top surface of the ride vehicle. 
     
     
         23 . The ride vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the fabric layer comprises neoprene. 
     
     
         24 . The ride vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one layer and the fabric layer are coupled together to enclose the flexible central core within a cavity formed between the at least one layer and the fabric layer. 
     
     
         25 . The ride vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one layer and the fabric layer are stitched together about a periphery of the elongate body of the ride vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . The ride vehicle of  claim 22 , wherein the flexible central core is surrounded by a fabric liner that is positioned between the flexible central core and the fabric layer and the at least one layer. 
     
     
         27 . A recreational slide system, comprising:
 the ride vehicle of  claim 1 ; and   a slide including a slide body with a non-wet lubricated slide surface that extends between a top entrance of the slide and a bottom exit of the slide;   wherein a coefficient of friction between the at least one layer of the ride vehicle and the non-wet lubricated slide surface is within a range of between about 0.03 to about 0.2.   
     
     
         28 . The recreational slide system of  claim 27 , wherein the coefficient of friction is kinetic coefficient of friction.