Patent Publication Number: US-7721655-B1

Title: Transport system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to a system for transporting a load along a cable. More particularly, the invention relates to a transport system comprising a cable in spaced relation to an anchoring member, and a cable traveling element to which a load can be coupled and which is displaceable along the cable. 
   2. Background 
   Many applications could be made easier and would benefit from a multiple cable-support system that allows passage of a cable traveling element past the cable supports unaided by human intervention and unimpeded by undue frictional orientation of passing components. Among these applications would be fall-arrest systems, animal-tethering systems, conveyor systems, and guidance systems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is desirable to provide versatile components to be used in various types of multiple cable-support systems that will allow freedom of a cable&#39;s course design, will provide security of operation, and will be subject to a minimal amount of frictional wear. It is further desirable to provide components that are easy to manufacture, that are easy to install and maintain, and that allow a system to be built that can allow uninterrupted and unimpeded navigation around corners, cables, and other obstacles. Often it is necessary to have a plurality of such cable supports located at intervals along the cable. 
   To these ends, provided herein is an inventive transport system comprising a cable traveling subsystem movable along a cable, wherein the cable is attached to and extends from a mounting subsystem. The cable traveling subsystem comprises a wheel that rotates along a length of the cable. The cable traveling subsystem further comprises a movable gate which keeps the cable traveling subsystem in physical communication with the cable even should the wheel become disengaged from the cable, and which further allows the cable traveling subsystem to travel though the mounting subsystem thereby resulting in the cable traveling subsystem&#39;s uninterrupted flow of motion. 
   A system of this type is useful in numerous applications including, but not limited to, fall-arrest safety installations for protecting workers at a height, animal tethering and restraint systems, conveyor systems, guidance systems, ski lifts, hoists, drying supports, such as a clothesline, and any other applications where it is desirable to move a load generally along a track past local track supports. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic depicting an exemplary mounting subsystem; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic depicting a side view of the mounting subsystem depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic depicting an exemplary cable traveling subsystem carrying an exemplary load; 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic depicting a side view of the cable traveling subsystem depicted in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic depicting an exemplary gate in association with an exemplary wheel and an exemplary spring; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic depicting an exemplary transport system; and 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic depicting a side profile of an exemplary transport system wherein an exemplary gate of an exemplary cable traveling subsystem is displaced upwardly away from a lower bridge of a bracket of the cable traveling subsystem. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The transport system of the present invention comprises a mounting subsystem integrated with a cable traveling subsystem, wherein such integration allows for the secure attachment of a load to the transport system, and for the unobstructed movement of the load. 
   The mounting subsystem comprises a plate which is securable to an anchoring member, wherein the anchoring member may be any object which is capable of securely holding the mounting subsystem in a relatively fixed position, wherein the specific anchoring member ultimately depends on the application of the transport system. Exemplary anchoring members may include, for example, a wall, a tree, a pole, a post, a beam, and the like. The mounting subsystem further comprises a cable which extends from a portion of the mounting subsystem. 
   The cable traveling subsystem moves in relation to the mounting subsystem via a wheel which rotates along a length of the cable. Additionally, the cable traveling subsystem further comprises a movable gate, wherein the gate moves in relation to the position of the cable traveling subsystem relative to the mounting subsystem to keep the cable traveling subsystem secured to the mounting subsystem even should the cable become dislodged from the wheel. 
   With reference to the drawings, an exemplary transport system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  1  will be described. 
   Referring to the figures, transport system  1  comprises a mounting subsystem  10 . Mounting subsystem  10  comprises a mounting plate  12 , which, when transport system  1  is in use, is secured to an anchoring member (not shown) via a securing element (not shown), wherein the securing element may comprise a variety of conventionally known elements used to secure an object to an anchoring member, including, for example, a nail, a screw, a bolt, a spike, a steel band, and the like. 
   Mounting subsystem  10  further comprises a guide plate  14  which is parallel to mounting plate  12 , and which is joined to mounting plate  12  by a connector plate  16 . Connector plate  16  comprises a length X to create a gap between mounting plate  12  and guide plate  14 . Although the length of connector plate  16  may vary, and, as will be understood below, is dictated by the size of certain components of cable traveling subsystem  100 , in an exemplary embodiment, the length is about 3 inches to about 6 inches. As will be made more clear below, the distance created between mounting plate  12  and guide plate  14  by connector plate  16  is vital in the facilitation of the movement of cable traveling subsystem  100  over mounting subsystem  10 . That is, the distance creates a space that allows for the passage of the cable traveling subsystem  100 , and more specifically, allows for the passage of a guide mounting frame  130  and a guide  164  of cable traveling subsystem  100 . 
   Mounting subsystem  10  also comprises a cable holding plate  18  which extends perpendicularly from guide plate  14 , wherein cable holding plate  18  terminates at its free end into a lip  20  which fixedly holds a cable  22  such that cable  22  cannot move or otherwise becomes displaced from lip  20 . Such fixed attachment of cable  22  by lip  20  may be accomplished by welding, melting, annealing, or otherwise attaching lip  20  to cable  22 . 
   Referring to the figures, the transport system further comprises a cable traveling subsystem  100  which is used to transport a load  107  along cable  22  of mounting subsystem  10 . Cable traveling subsystem  100  comprises a rail  102  having a via  108  for the attachment of a weight  106 , wherein weight  106  assists in keeping cable traveling subsystem  100  in vertical alignment with mounting subsystem  10 . Rail  102  also comprises a via  104  for the attachment of an eyelet  110 , wherein load  107  may be attached to eyelet  110  via a variety of attachment elements, including, for example, a cable, a chain, a rope, a leash, a tether, a bungee cord, and the like, wherein an exemplary attachment element comprises a leash  109 . 
   Cable traveling subsystem  100  further comprises a bracket  120 . Bracket  120  comprises a gate mounting frame  122  parallel to a rail mounting frame  126  and connected thereto by an upper bridge  124 . Bracket  120  further comprises a guide mounting frame  130  parallel to rail mounting frame  126  and connected thereto by a lower bridge  128  such that gate mounting frame  122  is disposed between rail mounting frame  126  and guide mounting frame  130 . Gate mounting frame  122  is positioned such that it extends from upper bridge  124  towards lower bridge  128 , but does not physically touch lower bridge, thereby creating a space  132  between gate mounting frame  122  and lower bridge  128 . As will be understood more fully below, space  132  is important for allowing a passageway for cable traveling subsystem  100  such that cable traveling subsystem  100  can pass over cable  22  without obstruction from mounting subsystem  10 . Additionally, again referring to the configuration of bracket  120 , such as is depicted in the figures, guide mounting frame  130  extends from lower bridge  128  towards upper bridge  124 . 
   Cable traveling subsystem  100  further comprises a wheel  134 . Wheel  134  comprises a track  136  disposed between hubs  138  and  140 . Wheel  134  is disposed between gate mounting frame  122  and rail mounting frame  126  and suspended above lower bridge  128  such that wheel  134  does not make direct physical contact with lower bridge  128 . Wheel  134  may be secured to frames  122  and  126  via a wide variety of fastening elements so long as such fastening elements firmly secure wheel  134  to frames  122  and  126  and allow for the rotation of wheel  134  about an axis, wherein an exemplary fastening element combination comprises, for example, washers  142 , nuts  144 , and screw  146 . 
   Cable traveling subsystem  100  further comprises a gate  148 , which is attached to a side of gate mounting frame  122  which is opposite to a side of gate mounting frame  122  which directly faces wheel  134 . Gate  148  is attached to gate mounting frame  122  such that it can move upwardly and downwardly (as shown by the arrows in  FIGS. 4 and 7 ). To accomplish this motion, exemplary gate  148  comprises slots  150  and  152 . Screw  146 , which is positioned through the axis of wheel  134  to secure wheel  134  to gate mounting frame  122 , is also positioned through slot  152  of gate  148  (and through a corresponding hole in gate mounting frame  122  (not shown)). Screw  146  is tensioned sufficiently such that, in association with the nuts and bolts it secures wheel  134 , but such that it also allows for the upward and downward motion of gate  148  when cable holding plate  18  of mounting subsystem  10  passes underneath gate  148 , wherein such operation will be more fully discussed below. A screw  154  is positioned within slot  150  and though a corresponding hole (not shown) in gate mounting frame  122  to further secure gate  148  while giving gate  148  sufficient freedom to move when exposed to the necessary actuating force. 
   Cable traveling subsystem  100  further comprises a compression spring  156 . Compression spring  156  comprises a coiled body  158  flanked by a terminal end  160  and a terminal end  162 . Coiled body  158  is positioned on an underside of upper bridge  124  of bracket  120 , and terminal ends  160  and  162  are securely attached to a top side of gate  148 . 
   In this fashion, compression spring  156  creates the force which causes gate  148  to move downwards towards lower bridge  128  once cable traveling subsystem  100  has moved past cable holding plate  18  of mounting subsystem  10 . That is, as will be more fully discussed below, in resting position, gate  148  physically abuts lower bridge  128  of bracket  120 . However, as cable traveling subsystem  100  moves past mounting subsystem  10 , cable holding plate  18  of mounting subsystem  10  pushes against gate  148  causing gate  148  to move in an upward direction. Due to the position of compression spring  156  on upper bridge  124  and on gate  148 , gate  148 &#39;s upward movement compresses compression spring  156 , thereby generating a stored energy source. Once cable traveling subsystem  100  is no longer in association with cable holding plate  18 , the stored energy source is used to move gate  148  in a downward direction such that gate  148  is again physically abutting lower bridge  128 . In this fashion, then, gate  148  provides a barricade and blocks cable  22  from dislodging from cable traveling subsystem  100 . 
   Cable traveling subsystem  100  further comprises a guide member  164  attached to guide mounting frame  130  of bracket  120 . Guide member  164  is configured and dimensioned to assist in keeping cable traveling subsystem  100  in vertical alignment when passing through and/or by mounting subsystem  10 . Exemplary guide member  164  comprises a W shaped structure comprising a mid-section peak  166  which is attached to guide mounting frame  130 . 
   Referring to the figures, when transport system  1  is in use, mounting subsystem  10  is attached to an anchoring member (not shown). Load  107 , which is to be conveyed by transport system  1 , is either directly or indirectly attached to eyelet  110  on rail  102 . 
   Wheel  134  of cable traveling subsystem  100  rotates over cable  22  which may extend over any desired distance, thereby causing movement of cable traveling subsystem  100  and the load over cable  22 . Movement of cable traveling subsystem  100  may be powered, for example, by a motor or by the load, or via any other power-generating source. 
   As cable traveling subsystem  100  makes physical contact with mounting subsystem  10  (aside from contact with cable  22 ), cable holding plate  18  of mounting subsystem  10  is positioned between gate  148  and lower bridge  128  thereby separating gate  148  from lower bridge  128  and causing gate  148  to move in an upward direction. Since gate  148  is spring loaded, once cable traveling subsystem  100  has passed by mounting subsystem  10  (other than cable  22 ), and hence, cable holding plate  18  is no longer physically separating gate  148  from lower bridge  128 , gate  148  moves downwards so that it again physically abuts lower bridge  128 , wherein such abutment creates a barrier region which holds cable  22  therein, and which, therefore, prevents cable  22  from becoming dislodged from cable traveling subsystem  100 . It is noted that when gate  148  is dislodged from lower bridge  128 , guide plate  14  and cable holding plate  18  serve as substitute bathers. 
   As should be understood by a reading of the above, multiple mounting subsystems may be utilized so that a load can be transported over a wide distance via a single cable traveling subsystem. Accordingly, in an exemplary application, a single cable may be attached to the lips of multiple mounting subsystems, and a load, which is attached to the cable traveling subsystem may be transported according to the method discussed above. 
   Furthermore, although the transport system is not to be limited to any one particular use, in an exemplary application, the transport system is used to allow a dog to move over great distances. In such an application, mounting subsystem  1  may be fixed to a wall or to a tree, for example. End  52  of cable  22  is attached to a tree  56  and end  54  of cable  22  is attached to a tree  58 . The dog&#39;s leash  109  is attached to eyelet  110 . As the dog walks, cable traveling subsystem  100  is moved along cable  22  by guiding cable  22  along an underside of track  136  of wheel  134 . Gate  148  abuts lower bridge  128  of bracket  120  such that cable  22  is not displaced. As the dog continues to move, cable traveling subsystem  100  crosses over mounting subsystem  10 . Such cross-over is achieved by moving gate  148  in an upward direction, wherein such upward force is created by the action of gate  148  moving over cable holding plate  18 . The upward motion of gate  148  compresses spring  156 . Accordingly, once cable traveling subsystem  100  moves past mounting subsystem  10 , the compressive force stored up in spring  156  is released so that gate  148  is moved downward to again create a barrier to cable  22 . 
   To expand the range of distance in which the dog can move a plurality of mounting subsystems may be utilized, whereby the cable traveling subsystem moves over the various mounting subsystems in the manner outlined above. It is further contemplated that more than one cable traveling subsystem may also be used, such as, when a number of dogs are to be exercised. 
   With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.