Patent Publication Number: US-8985028-B2

Title: Multiple cable zip line ride

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/376,646, filed Aug. 24, 2010, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to recreational suspended cable transport systems commonly known as zip lines and more particularly to the structure used for affixing the cables of a zip line. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Zip lines are an increasingly popular recreational thrill ride. In a typical zip line, a user is suspended from a cable and travels from one point at a high elevation to another point at a lower elevation at a relatively high speed. The use of zip lines in resort and outdoor settings continues to grow in popularity. As such, there is a growing need for zip lines that can handle a high volume of users in a safe and efficient manner. 
     A typical zip line ride has a plurality of towers that are connected to one another via cables. With reference to  FIG. 14 , a common design for a tower  202  is illustrated. The tower  202  has a vertical pole  204  supported by guy wires  206 . As illustrated, there is typically one “outbound” cable  208  and one “inbound” cable  214  per tower  202  connected to the vertical pole  204 . A platform  212  is situated under the cables  208 ,  214 . 
     A user leaves the platform  212  via the outbound cable  208  along direction  216 . Similarly, a user arrives at the platform  212  via the inbound cable  214  along direction  218 . A carriage  210  is suspended from each cable  208 ,  214 . A user typically stands on the platform  212  underneath one of the cables  208 ,  214  and connects (when preparing to depart the platform  212 ) or disconnects to the carriage  210  (after arriving at the platform  212 ) via a harness or the like. 
     Unfortunately, the design illustrated in  FIG. 14  has several disadvantages. As one example, the tower  202  is generally limited in the number of cables  208 ,  214  it can employ. Indeed, a typical tower  202  generally has only a single outbound cable  208  and a single inbound cable  214 . Moreover, typically only one user can travel on a cable  208 ,  214  at a time. As a result, a tower  202  can often times have a long queue of people waiting to ride the zip line. This long queue can discourage many potential users from riding the zip line. Further, many potential users would rather ride simultaneously with someone else and forgo riding alone due to fear or lack of interest. 
     As another example, the cables  208 ,  214  wrap around the pole  204  and are tied off to themselves. The trolleys  210  cannot ride along the cables  208 ,  214  at the tied off portions. As a result, there is a reduced amount of platform  212  space, e.g. width W 1  relative to the outbound cable  208 , for a user to stand on when connecting or disconnecting from the trolleys  210 . Such a configuration limits the available space for an operator to utilize when harnessing a user, and also generally prevents multiple users from standing on the platform when waiting to ride the zip line. 
     As yet another example, in certain embodiments, a tower  202  can include a pair of support poles  204  that are arranged in parallel with the platform  212  commonly mounted to both poles  204 . Each pole  204  has at least one cable  208 ,  214  extending therefrom. However, as a user rides on one cable  208 ,  214 , the pole  204  carrying the cable  208 ,  214  ridden upon will deflect. The forces caused by this deflection are transferred through the platform  212  to the other pole  204 . This can change the ride dynamics of the cable attached to the other pole to such an extent that only a single user can ride on a cable at a time, notwithstanding that the particular tower employs multiple cables in the same direction. 
     In view of the above, there is a need in the art for a zip line ride that can accommodate multiple simultaneous users in inbound and outbound directions from a tower. The invention provides such a zip line ride. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above, embodiments of the present invention provide a zip line ride that can accommodate multiple simultaneous users in inbound and outbound directions. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a new and improved zip line ride that incorporates a cross beam transversely mounted to a support structure. The cross beam and support structure present a ridged frame that provides an increased resistance to deflections when one or more users use the zip line ride. Still more particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a zip line system that incorporates multiple towers each having at least one cross beam such that the system can accommodate a high amount of user traffic thereby reducing the queue at any given tower of the zip line system. 
     In one embodiment, a zip line tower is provided. The zip line tower according to this embodiment includes a support structure including at least one generally vertical support pole with a cross beam mounted transversely thereto. A platform is mounted to the at least one generally vertical support pole. A plurality of cables are also mounted to the cross beam. The plurality of cables extend over the platform and to a termination point. The plurality of cables are spaced apart along the cross beam to permit simultaneous connection and use of the plurality of cables by users to travel between the platform and the termination point. In another embodiment, the at least two cables include at least two outbound cables extending away from the cross beam in a first direction. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of cables includes at least two inbound cables extending away from the cross beam in a second direction that is different from the first direction. 
     In another embodiment, the outbound cables extend away from the cross beam at a first angle that is negative relative to the platform. At least two inbound cables extend away from the cross beam at a second angle that is positive relative to the platform. 
     In another embodiment, the support structure includes a pair of support poles. The cross beam is transversely mounted to the pair of support poles. In another embodiment, at least one cable of the plurality of cables is routed through a routing structure mounted to the cross beam. The at least one cable is fixedly attached to one of the pair of support poles by a mounting structure. In yet another embodiment, the zip line tower further includes at least one safety cable. The at least one safety cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixedly mounted to the cross beam. The second end is fixedly mounted to the at least one cable between the routing structure and the mounting structure. 
     In another embodiment, the zip line tower further includes a cable tensioning device connected between an end of the at least one cable and the mounting structure. The tensioning device is operable to increase or decrease a tension in the at least one cable. 
     In another embodiment, the zip line tower further includes a platform mounted to the support structure below the cross beam. The plurality of cables includes a first cable and a second cable. The first cable is tangent to the cross beam at a first point of tangency and the second cable is tangent to the cross beam at a second point of tangency. The first point of tangency is higher than the second point of tangency relative to the platform. 
     In another embodiment, a zip line system is provided. The zip line system includes at least two towers. At least two cables extend between a first and a second tower of the at least two towers in the same direction. The at least two cables are operable to transport two users of the zip line system simultaneously in the same direction between the first tower and the second tower. In another embodiment, each of the at least two towers include a support structure and at least one cross beam transversely mounted to the support structure. In another embodiment, the at least two cables are fixedly attached to the cross beam. In yet another embodiment, the at least two cables are routed through a routing structure mounted to the at least one cross beam and mount to the support structure. 
     In another embodiment, the support structure is a single pole. The at least one cross beam includes a first cross beam mounted above a second cross beam. The at least two cables include a first pair of cables connected the first cross beam and a second pair of cables connected to the second cross beam. 
     In another embodiment, the support structure is a pair of poles. The at least one cross beam includes a first cross beam mounted above a second cross beam to the pair of poles. The at least two cables include a first pair of cables connected to the first cross beam and a second pair of cables connected to the second cross beam. 
     In another embodiment, a method for operating a zip line system is provided. The method according to this embodiment includes steps of connecting a first user to a first cable and connecting a second user to a second cable. The first and second cables are connected to a cross beam of a first tower and a cross beam of a second tower. The method further includes transporting the first and second users between the first and second towers. 
     In another embodiment, the step of transporting includes transporting the first and second users simultaneously in the same direction between the first and second towers. 
     In another embodiment, the method further includes the step of disconnecting the first user from the first cable and disconnecting the second user from the second cable. The steps of disconnecting are completed at a higher elevation than the steps of connecting relative to ground. 
     Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a tower of the multi cable canopy tour according to the teachings of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial side view of the tower of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial side view of an alternative configuration of the tower of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of a cross beam of the tower of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a platform, support poles, and the cross beam of the tower of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial top view of the cross beam and one support pole of the tower of  FIG. 1  with a cable and a safety cable mounted thereto; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top view of the cross beam and a support pole of the tower of  FIG. 1  showing the safety cable in operation; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial top view of the cross beam and a support pole of the tower of  FIG. 1  employing an adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial side view of an alternative mounting configuration adjustment mechanism of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the tower of  FIG. 1  employing multiple cross beams; 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative embodiment of the tower of  FIG. 1  using a single cross beam and single support pole; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an anchoring device for anchoring the support poles of the tower of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side cross section of the anchoring device of  FIG. 12 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a partial perspective view of a prior design of a tower. 
     
    
    
     While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now to the drawings, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1  a zip line tower  22  incorporating a plurality of cables  14 ,  16  that extend from the tower  22  to a termination point. More specifically, the zip line tower  22  incorporates one or more outbound cables  14  that allow multiple users to depart the zip line tower  22  and ride along the outbound cables  14  in an outbound direction  28  simultaneously. Likewise, the zip line tower  22  incorporates one or more inbound cables  16  that allow multiple users to arrive at the zip line tower  22  by riding along the inbound cables in an inbound direction  30  simultaneously. The termination point may be another tower  22 , or a different structure such as a ground based deck. 
     As a result, the zip line tower  22  can accommodate more users in a given period of time than the prior designs discussed above. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the zip line tower  22  achieves these advantages in part by using a cross beam  26  that the cables  14 ,  16  mount to, as opposed to mounting directly to the support pole  24  as in prior designs such as that illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Additionally, the cross beam  26  provides for a more stable structure such that the loading and deflections caused when one cable  14 ,  16  is in use does not affect the other cable  16 . 
     Although illustrated as incorporating two outbound cables  14  and two inbound cables  16 , it is recognized that in other embodiments the zip line tower  22  can incorporate more or fewer cables in each direction. As such, while the following description will utilize such an exemplary environment in describing various features and functionality of the present invention, such description should be taken by way of example and not by limitation. 
     The zip line tower  22  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a pair of support poles  24  interconnected by a cross beam  26 . A platform  36  is mounted to the support poles  24  and is situated under the cross beam  26 . As illustrated, the cables  14 ,  16  are connected to the cross beam  26 . The outbound cables  14  extend away from the cross beam  26  at a negative angle relative to the platform  36 , whereas the inbound cables extend away from the cross beam  26  at a positive angle relative to the platform. As will be discussed in greater detail below, the cables  14 ,  16  can mount to the cross beam  26  in a variety of ways. As one example, the cables  14 ,  16  may wrap around the cross beam  26  and be clamped to themselves in a first mounting arrangement  32 , such as that shown relative to the inbound cables  16 . 
     Alternatively, the cables  14 ,  16  may be routed around the cross beam  26  and one of the support poles  24  in a second mounting arrangement  34 , such as that shown relative to the outbound cables  14 . The particular mounting arrangement used is independent of whether the cable is an outbound cable  14 , or an inbound cable  16 . 
     The support poles  24  are generally co-parallel and extend vertically from the ground. The support poles  24  are structurally rigid and have a cylindrical shape, but other cross sectional shapes are contemplated, e.g. square, triangular, octagonal, etc. The support poles  24  may be wooden or formed from any other suitably rigid material, e.g. metal, concrete, composites, etc. The support poles  24  may also be embodied as a natural object, such as a tree. The cross beam  26  extends between the support poles  24  such that the cross beam  26  and support poles form a structurally rigid frame. Guy wires  42  are used to tether the frame formed by the cross beam  26  and support poles  24  to the ground. It will be recognized that due to its rigidity, the zip line tower  22  as illustrated utilizes the same number of guy wires  42  as prior designs discussed above utilizing a single support pole. Additionally, although illustrated as incorporating multiple support poles  24 , the cross beam  26  carrying multiple cables  14 ,  16  can be supplied in embodiments using a single support pole  24 . 
     The cross beam  26  can be mounted to the support poles  24  in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, cables or other fasteners such as bolts or rivets. The cross beam  26  also carries a variety of cable routing and mounting devices, e.g. clevises, swaged eyes, and pulleys, for mounting the cables  14 ,  16  to the cross beam  26 . Alternatively, and with particular reference to the inbound cables  16 , the cables may simply wrap around the cross beam  26  and tie off to themselves. However, it will be recognized from the following that the incorporation of the cross beam  26  allows for additional mounting and routing features such as safety cables and tensioning devices. 
     Further, it will be recognized that although the inbound cables  16  use a more simplified mounting arrangement  32  than the outbound cables  14 , the inbound cables  16  can use a mounting arrangement  34  similar to that of the outbound cables  14 . Indeed, the cross beam  26  provides the flexibility to utilize various mounting arrangements for the outbound and inbound cables  14 ,  16 . As was the case with the support poles  24 , the cross beam  26  can also have various cross sectional profiles other than the cylindrical profile illustrated. The cross beam  26  may be wooden or formed from any other suitably rigid material, e.g. metal, concrete, composites, etc. 
     The platform  36  is disposed generally below the cross beam  26  and is affixed to the support poles  24  using a plurality of braces  46 . The platform includes openings  48  allowing the support poles  24  to freely pass therethrough. An access structure (not shown) such as a ladder extends up from the ground and along one or both of the support poles  24  up to the platform  36 . Further, other access structures are contemplated, e.g. staircases or pegs extending from one or both of the support poles  24 , etc. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the platform  36  includes a base portion  40  and ramped portions  44  extending from either side of the base portion  40  at an angle θ. The ramped portions  44  allow for additional clearance for users of the tower  22  as they approach the platform  36  on the inbound cables  16 . Additionally the ramped portions  44  also allow for greater user confidence as they are far enough below the outbound cables  14  to allow a user to “free hang” from the outbound cable  14  while still having a sense of security of a platform beneath them prior to departing the platform  36 . In other embodiments, the ramped portions  44  may be omitted entirely, or larger and/or smaller than that illustrated. 
     The cross beam  26  advantageously allows for an increased amount of platform  36  space under the cables  14 ,  16 . This additional space provides a user and an operator more area to stand on when connecting or disconnecting from any one of the cables  14 ,  16 . More particularly, and with reference to  FIG. 2 , the zip line tower  22  is illustrated with an outbound cable  14  extending therefrom. A carriage  38  used to slide along the cable  14  while carrying user can be pulled inward from the edge of the platform  36  up to where it will abut with the cross beam  26 . Contrast this with the prior design illustrated in  FIG. 12 , where the carriage can only go as far the area where the cable ties off to itself. As a result, there is an increased amount of platform space from the edge of the platform  36  to the cross beam  26 , illustrated as width W 2  in  FIG. 2 , available for a user and an operator of the zip line tower  22  to stand on when connecting to the outbound cable  14 . It will be recognized that the same additional amount of platform space is available for the inbound cable  16 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , in an alternative mounting configuration the cross beam  26  can be placed on an opposite side of the support poles  24  as that illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As a result, the amount of platform space available for connecting to the outbound cable  28 , illustrated by width W 3 , is even greater, as the space between the support poles  24  is also available for connection and disconnection to the outbound cable  14 . It will be recognized that the widths W 2 , W 3  shown at  FIGS. 2 and 3  will be greater in the event a ramped portion  44  (see  FIG. 1 ) is also incorporated. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4  another advantage of the cross beam  26  is the ability to mount the outbound and inbound cable  14 ,  16  thereto such that there is a general height difference between where a user connects to the outbound cable  14  and where a user disconnects from the inbound cable  16 . Such an advantage may be achieved by arranging the cables  14 ,  16  along the cross beam  26  such that they extend therefrom at different angles using the first mounting arrangement  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the first mounting arrangement  32  includes wrapping the cables  14 ,  16  around the cross beam. Thereafter, the free end of each of the cables  14 ,  16  are folded over and coupled (e.g. swaged) to themselves to form an eyelet  50  at the free end of each cable  14 ,  16 . A clevis  52  is inserted into each eyelet  50 , and around the remainder of the cable  14 ,  16  it is associated with. Alternatively, the free end of the cables  14 ,  16  can be wrapped around the crossbeam  26 , and then looped around the length of cable extending from the cross beam  26 . Thereafter, the free end is swaged onto itself. As a result, the length of cable  14 ,  16  passes through an eyelet formed in the end of the cable, and no clevis is utilized. 
     As a result, the inbound cables  16  extend tangentially away from the cross beam  26  on an upper side thereof. This advantageously provides for additional elevation relative to the platform  36  as users approach the same. Likewise, the outbound cables  14  extend tangentially away from the cross beam  26  on a lower side thereof. It will be recognized that the point of tangency of the inbound cables  16  relative to the cross beam  26  is higher than the point of tangency of the outbound cables  14  relative to the cross beam  26 . This advantageously provides for ease of connection to the outbound cables  14 . That is, the outbound cables  14  extend tangentially away from the cross beam  26  at a height that is low enough for a majority of users to connect to the outbound cables while standing on the platform  36  and without the need for an additional ladder, stool, or the like. In other embodiments, the use of the crossbeam  26  can be omitted, and the inbound cable  16  wrapped on a support pole  24  or other vertical structure. The outbound cable  14  can be wrapped on the same support pole  24  or other vertical structure below the inbound cable  16  to achieve the same advantages in height distance. Further, the aforementioned cable wrapping arrangement utilizing a clevis  52 , or the eyelet formed in the free end of the cable  14 ,  16  can be employed to ensure that the cables  14 ,  16  extend from opposite sides of the support pole  24  and do not converge onto a single centered point on the support pole  24 . Such an embodiment will allow for more room for an operator to assist attaching and detaching users from the cables  14 ,  16 . 
     With reference to now to  FIG. 5 , as a result of the above-noted height difference, the point or region of the inbound cable  16  upon which the user disconnects from (illustrated at height H 1 ) is generally higher than the point or region of the outbound cable  14  upon which the user connects to (illustrated as height H 2 ). The inbound cable  16  is at a height H 1  that is high enough so that a user will not strike the platform  36  when arriving at the same. Conversely, it is desirable that the outbound cable  14  be at a height H 2  relative to the platform  36  such that a user can stand on the platform  36  comfortably while connecting to the outbound cable  14 . In one embodiment, H 1  is preferably about 7 feet, more preferably 9 feet, and even more preferably about 10 feet. Also in one embodiment, H 2  is about 7 feet, more preferably 6 feet, and even more preferably 5 feet. 
     It will be recognized from inspection of  FIG. 5  that the cables  14 ,  16  are shown generally mounted to the cross beam  26 , however, either of the mounting arrangements  32 ,  34  discussed above relative to  FIGS. 1 and 2  can be used to achieve the desired heights H 1  and H 2 . Put differently, either of the first and second mounting arrangements  32 ,  34  can be used in conjunction with the cross beam  26  to mount the cables  14 ,  16  such that they extend away from the cross beam  26  at different angles. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 6 , one configuration of the second mounting arrangement  34  is illustrated. In this configuration, the outbound cable  14  passes through a routing structure such as a clevis  56  mounted to the cross beam  26  and terminates at a mounting structure  58  of the support pole  24 . The mounting structure  58  can be any structure sufficient to fix the cable to the support pole  24 , e.g. a ring mount or similar structure. 
     A safety cable  60  is connected to the outbound cable  16  at a first termination  62 . The safety cable  60  also wraps around the support pole  24  and crossbeam  26  and ties off to itself at a second termination  64 . The first and second terminations  62 ,  64  can be achieved using clips or other structures used to bind cables together. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , in the event that the clevis  56  and/or the mounting structure  58  break away from the cross beam  26  and/or support pole  24 , the safety cable will maintain the connection of the outbound cable  14  relative to the remainder of the zip line tower  22 . It will be recognized that such a configuration provides enhanced and redundant safety for the zip line tower  22 . Additionally, although illustrated as incorporated with the outbound cable  14 , it is recognized that the same mounting arrangement  34  incorporating a safety cable  60  can be utilized with the outbound cables  14  and/or inbound cables  16 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 8 , the mounting arrangement  34  can also incorporate a tensioner  70 . Similar to the termination of the outbound cable  14  discussed relative to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the outbound cable  14  is illustrated as passing through a clevis  56  and terminating at a tensioner  70  connected to the mounting structure  58  mounted to the support pole  24 . The tensioner  70  can be used to increase or decrease a tension T in the outbound cable  16  to compensate for thermal expansion or contraction of the outbound cable  14 , or general sag in the outbound cable  14  as a result of prolonged usage thereof. Although illustrated as incorporated with one of the outbound cables  14 , it is recognized that the inbound cables  16  (see  FIG. 1 ) can also incorporate the same tensioner  70 . Further, the incorporation of the tensioner  70  does not preclude or inhibit the use of the safety cable  60  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) as discussed above. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , the outbound cables  14  are illustrated in an alternative mounting configuration. In this configuration, the cables  14  pass through routing structures  76  and terminate against the support poles  24 . The cables  14  can also include tensioners  70  as discussed above in this configuration. Further, additional pulleys and other routing structures (not shown) can also be included to route the cables  14  towards tensioners  70 . The tensioners  70  mount to the support poles  24  such that they are accessible from the ground. In this configuration, the tension in the cables can be increased or decreased from the ground without the need to climb up to the platform  36 . Further, it is recognized that this same configuration can be utilized with respect to the inbound cables  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Still further, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the mounted location of the cross beam  26  relative to the support poles  24  is adjustable along axis  90 , and on either side of the support poles  24 . It will be recognized that an angle θ between the cable  14  and the support pole  24  can be manipulated by changing the mounted location at the cross beam  26 . Changing the angle θ can effect the speed at which a user travels along the cable  14 , as well as other ride dynamics. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 10 , a portion of a zip line system or tour is illustrated incorporating multiple zip line towers  22  is illustrated. The various towers  22  of the system each incorporate multiple platforms  36  and multiple cross beams  26 . Upon examination of  FIG. 10 , it will be recognized that in this configuration each zip line tower  22  provides for multiple inbound cables  16  and multiple outbound cables  14  at different elevations. Such a configuration allows a single zip line tower  22  to accommodate many users in a given period of time given the multiple platforms  36  that users can arrive at and depart from. Further, these towers  22  can be interconnected with one another so as to provide a tour with multiple nodes presented by each tower  22 . A user can pass from tower  22  to tower  22 , and more stop at each platform  36  thereof. As a result, this configuration presents the advantage over prior designs of providing a zip line tower  22  that can accommodate a relatively high amount of user traffic. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 11  an alternative embodiment of a zip line tower  122  is illustrated. In this embodiment, multiple cables  114  extend away from the zip line tower  122 . Each of the cables  114  passes through a clevis  156  and mounts against a single support pole  124  via a mounting structure  158 . Similar to the embodiments discussed above, each of the cables  114  is also secured to a cross beam  126  carried by the support pole. The safety cables  160  mount to the outbound cables  114  at first termination points  162 . The safety cables  160  also wrap around the cross beam  126  and tie off to themselves at second termination points  164 . It will be recognized that the safety cables  160  present the same or similar safety features and functionality as that discussed above relative to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 12 , an anchoring system  112  for the support poles  24  can also be provided. The anchoring system  112  allows for installation of the support poles  24  in material that permits only shallow post holes, such as rock. The anchoring system  112  provides additional structural support to the support pole  24 , that would otherwise be achieved by a deeper post hole for receipt of the support pole  24 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 13 , an anchoring system  112  can be associated with each support pole  24  in embodiments incorporating the same. Each anchoring system  112  includes a plurality of interconnected upper support members  114 , and a plurality of interconnected lower support members  116 . An adjustment spike  118  extends between each of the upper and lower support members  114 ,  116 . A portion of the adjustment spike  118  extends into a rock bed  120  or other material to provide additional structural support for the mounting of the support pole  24 . 
     Having described the structural attributes of several embodiments of the invention, the following provides a detailed description of the operation of the same. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , to operate the zip line ride as described herein, users are first connected to the outbound cables  14 . As described above, the outbound cables  14  are generally lower than the inbound cables  16  relative to the platform  36 , such that a user can stand on the platform  36  while being connected. Further, multiple users can be connected to multiple outbound cables  14 , depending on the particular design of the tower  12 . 
     Once connected, users are transported between a first and a second tower  12  (second tower not shown). This transportation can include sending multiple users from the first tower to the second tower simultaneously. Upon arriving at the second tower, the users are disconnected from outbound cable  14 . As discussed above, the terms “inbound” and “outbound” are relative to a particular tower such that the same cable is an outbound cable relative to the tower the user departs from, and an inbound cable relative to the tower the user arrives at. 
     Further, where multiple towers are used in a network configuration, users can simultaneously ride from tower to tower. The steps of connection and disconnection are described above are generally the same, except that upon disconnection at an intermediate tower, the users are thereafter reconnected to the next outbound cable in their specific tour. Still further, as described above relative to  FIG. 10 , a pair of towers can have multiple cross beams and platforms such that users can ride back and forth between the towers. 
     Users connect to the above described cables  14 ,  16  via a harness and mounting arrangement. The harness and mounting arrangement includes a structure for sliding along the cable that the user&#39;s harness connects to. This structure can be a wheeled assembly, or a clip (e.g. a carabiner). Additionally, a tether can be employed which extends between the cables  14 ,  16  and the harness that allows users to stand on a platform of the tower while remaining connected to a cable above the user that is too high to otherwise connect to without the use of the tether. When the user is ready to ride, they disconnect from the tether, and connect to the structure to ride on the cable. 
     As described herein, the embodiments of the invention provide a zip line tower that utilizes multiple inbound and outbound cables. By utilizing multiple inbound and outbound cables, the zip line tower can accommodate an increased amount of traffic. As a result, the wait time users would ordinarily experience for a zip line tower incorporating only a single outbound and/or inbound cable is significantly reduced. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.