RIDE VEHICLE FOR A RECREATIONAL SLIDE
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.
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.