Zip line assembly and trolley therefore

A zip line comprising:

• a substantially rigid track supported above a ground surface by a plurality of supports;
• said track being comprised of a plurality of track segments connected together such that adjacent track segments have substantially no freedom of movement relative to each other, and such that a junction between adjacent track segments presents a substantially smooth, continuous, and uninterrupted surface;
• each said track segment comprising a run and a flange extending from an upper portion of said run;
• and
• a trolley adapted to move along said track;
• said trolley comprising a frame having upper wheel mounts and at least one lower wheel mount;
• each said upper wheel mount including a first wheel surface to which at least one first upper wheel is rotatably mounted and a second wheel surface to which at least one second upper wheel is rotatably mounted;
• said first wheel surface being oriented such that said first upper wheel engages an upper surface of said track run and said second surface is oriented such that said second upper wheel will engage said track flange upon rotational movement of said trolley relative said track run;
• said at least one lower wheel mount comprising a lower wheel surface having at least one lower wheel rotatably mounted thereto;
• said lower wheel having a circumferential surface facing said track run and being slightly spaced from said track run when said first upper wheels are in engagement with said track run;
• and
• a rider support suspended from a bar suspended from said trolley;
• said bar being generally perpendicular to the axis of said trolley and having a length greater than a width of the trolley.

A zip line comprising:

• a substantially rigid track supported above a ground surface by a plurality of supports;
• said track being comprised of a plurality of track segments connected together such that adjacent track segments have substantially no freedom of movement relative to each other, and such that a junction between adjacent track segments presents a substantially smooth, continuous, and uninterrupted surface;
• each said track segment comprising a run and a flange extending from an upper portion of said run;
• wherein said track segment runs are hollow at least at opposite ends of the track segment run;
• said connector comprising a body have an outer surface sized and shaped correspondingly to the hollow ends of said track segment runs such that said connector can be snuggly received in said hollow ends of said track segment run;
• said connector further including a flange extending about said body;
• said flange having a width approximately equal to the thickness of the hollow ends of said track segment run;
• whereby, when said track is assembled, end surfaces of said track segment runs substantially abut opposite sides of said connector flange;
• a trolley adapted to move along said track;
• said trolley comprising a frame having upper wheel mounts;
• each said upper wheel mount including a first wheel surface to which at least one first upper wheel is rotatably mounted and a second wheel surface to which at least one second upper wheel is rotatably mounted;
• said first wheel surface being oriented such that said first upper wheel engages an upper surface of said track run and said second surface is oriented such that said second upper wheel will engage said track flange upon rotational movement of said trolley relative said track run;
• and
• a rider support suspended from said trolley.

A trolley adapted to move along a track of a zip line, said trolley comprising a frame which is generally symmetrical about a vertical center plane and a rider support suspended from said trolley;

• said frame having upper wheel mounts on opposite sides of said center plane and at least one lower wheel mount;
• each said upper wheel mount including a first wheel surface to which at least one first upper wheel is rotatably mounted and a second wheel surface to which at least one second upper wheel is rotatably mounted;
• said first wheel surface defining an angle of between about 0° and about 60° relative to said vertical center plane;
• and said second surface is oriented such that said at least one second upper wheel will rotate in a plane that is generally perpendicular (within about 10°) to said vertical center plane;
• and,
• said at least one lower wheel mount comprising a lower wheel surface having at least one lower wheel rotatably mounted thereto;
• said lower wheel having a circumferential surface facing said track run and being slightly spaced from said track run when said first upper wheels are in engagement with said track run.

A trolley adapted to move along a track of a zip line, said trolley comprising:

• a frame which is generally symmetrical about a vertical center plane;
• upper wheel mounts on said frame on opposite sides of said center plane;
• each said upper wheel mount including a first wheel surface to which at least one first upper wheel is rotatably mounted and a second wheel surface to which at least one second upper wheel is rotatably mounted;
• said first wheel surface defining an angle of between about 0° and about 60° relative to said vertical center plane;
• and said second surface is oriented such that said at least one second upper wheel will rotate in a plane that is generally perpendicular (within about 10°) to said vertical center plane;
• at least one lower wheel mount comprising a lower wheel surface having at least one lower wheel rotatably mounted thereto;
• said lower wheel having a circumferential surface facing vertical center plane;
• and
• a rider support suspended from a bar suspended from said trolley;
• said bar being generally perpendicular to the axis of said trolley and having a length greater than a width of the trolley.