Sled board with tracking bottom

Abstract

The invention features a soft foam sled board for use by a sitting or kneeling rider to slide over a snow or ice covered surface. The sled is prepared from a shaped polyethylene foam core, and at least the bottom surface of the core is covered by a slick, polyethylene film/polyethylene foam sheet laminate which provides little frictional resistance between the sled board and sliding surface, and provides an impervious outer surface to the board so as to resist puncture and water infiltrate. The sled board has one or more rails, ribs, or fins embedded below the body weight of the rider so as to either protrude from, or jut into, the board. The fins enhance the ability of the sled board to travel down the hill in a straight, forward direction.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sled comprising: 
 (a) an elongate member having a self-supporting, soft foam core, said elongate member comprising an upwardly-curved leading end portion having a leading edge, and a body portion having a trailing edge, an upper surface, a rider support region, a substantially planar under surface; and    (b) at least one longitudinal rail integrally attached to said under surface and positioned below the rider support region of the body portion.    
     
     
         2 . The sled of  claim 1 , where the sled comprises at least two longitudinal rails below said rider support region of said body portion.  
     
     
         3 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said body portion further comprises one or more handles adjacent said rider support region.  
     
     
         4 . The sled of  claim 3 , further comprising a strap, said strap having one end attachable to said one or more handles.  
     
     
         5 . The sled of  claim 4 , wherein said strap comprises a second end securable to a user.  
     
     
         6 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate member comprises an outer side edge, said outer side edge comprising a region of concave curvature.  
     
     
         7 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate member comprises an outer side edge, said outer side edge comprising a convex curve.  
     
     
         8 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate member comprises symmetrical side edges.  
     
     
         9 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate member comprises two outer side edges having asymmetrical curvature.  
     
     
         10 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said elongate member comprises an outer side edge has a bevel.  
     
     
         11 . The sled of  claim 1 , further comprising a top skin on said upper surface.  
     
     
         12 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein the soft foam core extends from the trailing edge of the body portion to the leading edge of the upturned leading end portion.  
     
     
         13 . The sled of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom skin on said under surface.  
     
     
         14 . The sled of  claim 12 , wherein said rail is under said bottom skin.  
     
     
         15 . The sled of  claim 12 , wherein said rail is above said bottom skin.  
     
     
         16 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said rail is at least two inches in length.  
     
     
         17 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said body portion has a length, and said rail has a length substantially equal to the length of said body portion.  
     
     
         18 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said rail has a depth of 0.1 inches to 2.0 inches.  
     
     
         19 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said rail is a protruding ridge.  
     
     
         20 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said rail an intruding groove.  
     
     
         21 . The sled of  claim 1 , wherein said rail comprises a soft foam core.  
     
     
         22 . The sled of  claim 21 , wherein the soft foam core of said rail has a density that is equal to or greater than the soft foam core of said elongate member.  
     
     
         23 . A sled comprising an upwardly curved leading portion, an elongate portion, and a self-supporting soft foam core, the elongate portion comprising: 
 (a) a support section for support of a rider;    (b) an upper surface comprising a top skin;    (c) an under surface comprising a bottom skin; and    (d) at least one longitudinally-extending rail integrally secured to the under surface of the support section of the elongate portion.    
     
     
         24 . The sled of  claim 23 , wherein said bottom skin is a polyethylene film.  
     
     
         25 . A method for making a self-supporting, soft foam sled board comprising the steps of: 
 (a) laminating a soft foam rail piece to a preshaped, soft foam core material to form a rail/foam core composite; and    (b) laminating a bottom skin to said rail/foam core composite.    
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said bottom skin is polyethylene film.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein said bottom skin is a film/foam laminate prepared by laminating a polyethylene film to a polyethylene foam sheet to form a bottom skin having a foam surface and a film surface.  
     
     
         28 . A self-supporting, soft foam board for sliding over a surface, comprising: 
 (a) an upper surface;    (b) a bottom surface    (c) one or more handles and support region for a rider; and    (d) at least one convolution integral to the bottom of said board below the rider support region, whereby the convolution is in contact with the surface when a rider on said rider support region pulls on said one or more handles.