Load-minimizing, trolley arrester apparatus and method
AssigneeZipholdings, LLC
InventorEric S. Cylvick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and limit net downhill acceleration of the trolley. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. At the downhill end of the ride, the lever actuating the brake is caught and lifted by a capture ring, thus relieving the braking load on the trolley. Also, the trolley engages a comparatively modest, second resistance mechanism, such as, for example, a system of springs, that gradually increases in resistance with distance of motion of the trolley thereagainst, bringing the trolley to a gradual halt at a rate to improve comfort of a rider and reduce acceleration forces (loads) on the trolley.
Claims20
A method to minimize loads of arrest in a trolley, the method comprising:
- providing a trolley traveling along a cable suspended from supports proximate first and second ends of the cable;
- initiating, proximate the first end of the cable, relative motion of the trolley with respect to the cable in response to a gravitational force;
- applying a braking force between the trolley and the cable to control the speed of the trolley along the cable;
- approaching, by the trolley, the second end of the cable;
- relieving, proximate the second end of the cable, the braking force during a continuation of the motion of the trolley with respect to the cable;
- and
- transferring a first portion of kinetic energy corresponding to the trolley into a deflecting element deflecting along the direction of the cable.
A method comprising:
- providing a trolley traveling along a cable suspended from supports proximate first and second ends of the cable;
- initiating, proximate the first end of the cable, relative motion of the trolley with respect to the cable in response to a gravitational force;
- applying a braking force between the trolley and the cable to control the speed of the trolley along the cable;
- approaching, by the trolley, the second end of the cable;
- relieving, proximate the second end of the cable, the braking force during a continuation of the motion of the trolley with respect to the cable;
- transferring a portion of kinetic energy corresponding to the trolley into a deflecting element deflecting along the direction of the cable;
- and
- resolving, by the deflecting element, momentum received from the trolley, in a continuously variable direction beginning at a first direction transferring substantially no momentum along the cable and ending at a second direction transferring substantially all momentum along the direction of the cable.
A method to decelerate a trolley, the method comprising:
- initiating descent of a trolley along a cable,
- controlling the speed of the trolley descending the cable by applying a braking force;
- and
- arresting the trolley by
- capturing a guide portion of the trolley by a capture element pivotably suspended from the cable,
- relieving the braking force by lifting the guide portion according to the pivoting of the capture element, and
- converting a portion of kinetic energy corresponding to the trolley into deflection of a spring.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.