Zipline trolley system

A zipline trolley system comprises a cable, trolley, launcher, and a catch block. The launcher is fixed on the cable and comprises a substantially cylindrical inner body with a rigid outer body adapted to rotate about the inner body. A return spring attaches the inner body with the outer body. The catch block is also fixed on the cable and comprises a block with left and right retaining arms pivotably connected to the block and adapted to clasp onto the front plate of the frame of the trolley.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to zipline trolley systems. More particularly, the invention relates to launching and braking devices for zipline trolley systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Zipline trolley systems typically comprise a small trolley that rolls freely along a cable extended between two points. The two points are typically elevated from the ground, with the starting point elevated higher than the finishing point. At the starting point, the user is attached to a trolley (such as the one described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/239,959, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference) and sent down the cable. The user is usually attached to the trolley through a number of steel carabiners. At the finishing point, the user is disengaged from the trolley. This system is simple, yet it is not always ensured that the user is placed in a loaded, secure position before the trolley is released from the starting point. This can lead to catastrophic results if improper connections are not detected before the trolley is released.

Some zipline trolley systems finish with a negative grade in order to implement so-called “gravity braking”, wherein the trolley naturally slows down near the finishing point since it has to travel upwards. In such systems, it is necessary to have some means at the finishing point to hold the user when he or she reaches the finishing point in order to prevent the user from rolling back down the cable. In some instances, this would involve a person grabbing and hanging onto the user as he or she approaches the finishing point.

These added procedures at the departure and arrival of every zipline trolley both increase the length of time required for each user to experience the zipline system and complicate the process for starting and ending rides on the zipline trolleys. What is therefore required is a safe and simple system to launch and stop zipline trolleys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention, a zipline trolley system comprises a cable extended between a first point and a second point, a trolley, a launcher fixed to the first point, and a catch block fixed to the second point. The trolley comprises one or more wheels that travel on the cable and a frame attached to the one or more wheels, wherein the frame comprises a front plate and a back plate. The launcher comprises a substantially cylindrical inner body fixed to the first point, a rigid outer body adapted to rotate about the inner body, a return spring, and a retention mechanism. One end of the return spring is attached to the inner body and the other end of the return spring is attached to the outer body, wherein rotation of the outer body about the inner body tensions the return spring. The retention mechanism is connected to the outer body and adapted to clasp onto the back plate of the frame when the return spring is not tensioned.

The catch block comprises a block fixed to the second point, a left retaining arm and a right retaining arm, and a left spring and a right spring. The left retaining arm and the right retaining arm are both pivotably connected to the block and adapted to clasp onto the front plate of the frame.

One end of the left spring is attached to the block and the other end of the left spring is attached to the left retaining arm, wherein pivoting the left retaining arm away from the block tensions the left spring. Similarly, one end of the right spring is attached to the block and the other end of the right spring is attached to the right retaining arm, wherein pivoting the right retaining arm away from the block tensions the right spring.

The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Moreover, despite this disclosure, the actual invention, inventive apparatus, methods, concepts and inventive ideas for which this patent is sought are ultimately defined only by the formal claims of this application, not by the details of the summary or of the preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1, the zipline trolley system10of the present invention comprises a trolley12that travels along a cable18. At one end of the cable18is attached a launcher20, which is used to start the trolley12moving along the cable18. At the other end of the cable18is attached a catch block40, which is used to stop the trolley12. Preferably, both the launcher20and the catch block40are elevated above ground, with the launcher20elevated higher than the catch block40so that the trolley12will move, through gravity, from the launcher20to the catch block40along the cable18.

The cable18may be a steel cable of any suitable diameter. Preferably, the diameter of the cable18is one inch or less. The trolley12comprises one or more wheels13enclosed in a frame14. The wheels13travel on top of the cable18, and lines15extend from the sides of the frame14to attach to a handle19that swings below the frame14. The handle19is attached to a user using various connection mechanisms, such as harnesses and carabiners. A front plate16is attached to the front of the frame14, while a back plate17is attached to the rear of the frame14.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 3, the launcher20comprises two blocks21,22that fit around a section of the cable18. The two blocks21,22are attached to each other by one or more connectors23, such as screws or bolts. For example, the two blocks21,22may be attached together by 5/16thinch hex bolts. The connectors act to clamp the two blocks21,22onto the cable18such that the blocks21,22are unable to rotate about the cable18. The two blocks21,22, when clamped to each other, form a generally cylindrical outer surface. The launcher20further comprises an outer body25that is able to rotate about the cylindrical outer surface of blocks21,22.

The outer body25is preferably constructed from metal and made of two pieces held together by outer connectors24, such as 5/16thinch×1¼ inch socket cap screws. On one end of the outer body25(the end that will release the trolley12) are rigidly attached two flanges26,27extending perpendicularly away from the longitudinal axis of the cable18. Preferably, the flanges26,27are constructed from steel and welded to the outer body25. Retention jaws28,29are rigidly connected to the ends of each of the flanges26,27. Preferably, the retention jaws28,29made of a high-density polyethylene compound and are connected to attachment points on the flanges26,27by 5/16thinch×1¼ inch socket cap screws. The retention jaws28,29are configured so that they fit around and grip the back plate17of the trolley12. As the retention jaws28,29come in direct contact with the trolley12, they are designed to be replaceable and can removed by unscrewing the socket cap screws. Furthermore, the use of a high-density polyethylene compound for the retention jaws28,29ensures that the back plate17of the trolley12is not excessively worn by repeated use of the launcher20.

Since the inner surface of the outer body25rotates about the outer surface of the blocks21,22, the contact area between the two surfaces may be lubricated with grease. Grease may be injected into the contact area through a grease nipple30located on the outer body25. The grease nipple30allows for periodic lubrication on the contact area while the launcher20is being operated in all weather conditions.

In addition to rotation of the outer body25about the blocks21,22, a return spring31connects the blocks21,22with the outer body25. One end of the return spring31is fastened to one of blocks21,22, with the other end of the return spring31secured to the inside of the outer body25. The return spring31is preferably secured to the inside of the outer body25using a socket cap screw.

A handle32is attached to one side of the outer body25. Preferably, the handle32is substantially cylindrical and is welded to the outer body25. The handle32may also comprise a grip33that allows for the handle32to be easily grasped by hand.

The retention jaws28,29, the flanges26,27, the outer body25, the return spring31, and the blocks21,22are arranged in such a manner so that the launcher20is initially in a position where the return spring31is not under tension, and the retention jaws28,29and the flanges26,27are arranged generally parallel to the ground. When the handle32is rotated about the longitudinal axis of the cable18, the outer body25rotates about the blocks21,22and tensions the return spring31. As the flanges26,27are rigidly connected to the outer body25and the retention jaws28,29are rigidly connected to the flanges26,27, the rotation of the outer body25causes the flanges26,27(and therefore the retention jaws28,29) to rotate as well. When the handle32is released, the return spring31returns to its initial configuration, causing the outer body25to rotate back into its initial position. As a result, the flanges26,27and the retention jaws28,29also return to their initial positions.

It is important that the components in the launcher20are configured so that they are placed on the cable18after it is tensioned, and spheltered sockets are installed at each end of the cable18so that it is impossible to slip the launcher20on the cable18after cable installation.

Referring toFIGS. 4,5, and6, the catch block40comprises a left block41and a right block42separated by a first plate43and a second plate44. The first plate43and the second plate44, along with the left block41and the right block42are held together by catch block connectors50, such as stainless steel bolts. The catch block connectors50clamp the left block41and the right block42about the cable18and hold the catch block40rigidly in place on the cable18. Preferably, the left block41and the right block42are constructed from high density polyethylene, and the plates43,44are constructed from aluminium. The plates43,44provide structural strength to the catch block40. One end of a left retaining arm45is pivotably connected to the left block41while the other end comprises a hook-like structure with a tapered tip. Similarly, one end of a right retaining arm46is pivotably connected to the right block42while the other end comprises a hook-like structure with a tapered tip.

Each of the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46are attached to one end of two springs51, with the other end of the two springs51attached to the left block41and the right block42respectively. The springs51are attached in such a manner so that opening the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46(i.e. pivoting them away from the left block41and right block42respectively) causes the springs51to tension. Referring specifically toFIG. 6, this may be achieved using compression springs. For the left retaining arm45, for example, one end of the compression spring would be attached to the outer surface of the left retaining arm45. A screw52would be provided that passed through the left retaining arm45and into the left block41. The other end of the compression spring would be attached to the tip of the screw52. As a result, pivoting of the left retaining arm45away from the left block41would result in tensioning and compression of the compression spring.

When the edge of the front plate16of the trolley12impacts the tapered tips of the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46, the momentum of the trolley12causes the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46to open (thereby tensioning the springs). However, once the edges of the front plate16completely passes over the hook-like structures of the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46, the springs relax, causing the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46to quickly close, preventing the front plate16from moving back towards the launcher20.

As most cables18have a certain degree of rise at this point, the catch block40ensures that the trolley12does not roll back down the cable18(towards the launcher20). The catch block40also has the capacity to hold a large mass in a stationary position, allowing the user to be easily released from the trolley12without needing to be held by another person. The trolley12can be removed from the catch block40by rotating it 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the cable18. Since the width of the front plate16is greater than its height, once the trolley12is rotated 90 degrees, the left retaining arm45and the right retaining arm46can no longer maintain contact with the front plate16. Preferably, a pillow47is attached to the front of the left block41and the right block42to dampen the impact of the front plate16on the left block41and the right block42. The pillow47may be made of a rubber compound.

The zipline trolley system described above enhances the safety of using a zipline trolley. The launcher20allows the trolley to be placed on the cable without the need for any leash mechanism and safely holds the weight of the trolley12and user in a fully loaded position. The user can hang freely from the trolley12while the necessary safety connections are inspected. The user can be easily launched by rotating the handle32. It is not necessary to unload the user from a safety tether and to alter the weight of the user at this point of the launch process. Furthermore, the user can no longer release himself or herself as the launcher20is located behind and out of the reach of the user.

The catch block40allows a user to stop without the need for another person to grab and hold onto the user. The catch block40attaches to the trolley12with spring-tensioned jaws and will hold the trolley12in place so that the user can be easily disengaged from the trolley12. Both the launcher20and the catch block40automatically reset themselves after use, easily allowing for the continuous use of the zipline trolley system from one user to the next.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred and alternative embodiments have been described in some detail but that various modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention.