US 6,666,773 B1Granted

Downhill zip line thrill ride system

OwnerMichael Troy Richardsoninventor

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Abstract

A zip line thrill ride system includes a cable suspended between a upper cable support tower and platform which, together, function as the harnessing, loading, and take-off point for the ride, and a lower cable support tower and platform which, together, function as the landing, unloading and unharnessing point of the ride. Multiple, substantially identical trolleys are designed to quickly engage and disengage the cable. The trolley includes a frame of generally I-beam cross section, a generally tubular brake retainer, having a longitudinal slit therein, is welded to an upper rear portion of the frame. A grooved, generally cylindrical brake fabricated from a durable polymeric material is rotatably affixed within the tubular brake retainer. When the trolley is affixed to the suspended cable by sliding the cable into the slit and rotating the brake, the grooved insert rides against the suspended cable and generates friction.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A zip line transport system comprising:

upper and lower support towers;
a cable suspended between said upper and lower support towers;
at least one trolley comprising:
a frame;
a generally tubular brake retainer having a central axis and first and second open ends secured to a rear portion of the frame, said brake retainer having a primary longitudinal slit in a lateral portion thereof, said primary longitudinal slit extending from said first open end to said second open end;
a generally cylindrical abrasion-resistant brake rotatably and concentrically installed within said tubular brake retainer, said brake having a linear longitudinal groove through which the cable passes as the trolley moves along the cable, a bottom portion of said linear groove sliding against a lower surface of said cable, said longitudinal groove being both centered about a plane passing through the central axis, and alignable with the primary longitudinal slit, said cable being insertable through said primary longitudinal slit and into the longitudinal groove, said cable being locked within said brake retainer by arcuate rotation of said brake;
and
a pulley rotatably mounted above a middle portion of said frame, said pulley having both a circumferential groove that rides on the upper surface of the cable, and an axis of rotation that is generally horizontal and perpendicular to the central axis, said pulley being spaced from said brake said brake retainer so that a gap at least equal to the diameter of the cable exists therebetween;
and
a lever arm adjustment bracket affixed to a front portion of said frame, said bracket being positionable fore and aft to adjust an amount of pressure between the bottom portion of the longitudinal groove and the lower surface of said cable.

7 more elements

A zip line transport system comprising:

upper and lower support towers;
a cable suspended between said upper and lower support towers;
at least one trolley movable along the cable, said trolley comprising:
a frame;
a brake assembly affixed to a rear portion of said frame, said brake assembly having an abrasion-resistant brake with a longitudinal linear groove, through which the cable passes as the trolley moves along the cable, a bottom portion of said linear groove sliding against a lower surface of said cable;
a pulley mounting bracket attached to and extending above a central portion of said frame;
a pulley rotatably mounted to said pulley mounting bracket, said pulley having a circumferential groove that rides on an upper surface of the cable;
and
a lever arm adjustment bracket positioned on a front portion of said frame, the rider mounting bracket being positionable fore and aft to adjust an amount of pressure between the bottom portion of the linear groove and the lower surface of said cable.

6 more elements

A zip line transport system comprising:

upper and lower support towers;
a cable suspended between said upper and lower support towers;
at least one trolley comprising:
a frame;
a brake assembly affixed to a rear portion of said frame, said brake assembly having an abrasion-resistant brake with a longitudinal linear groove, through which the cable passes as the trolley moves along the cable, a bottom portion of said linear groove sliding against a lower surface of said cable;
a pulley rotatably mounted to a middle portion of said frame, said pulley having a circumferential groove that rides on an upper surface of the cable;
and
a lever arm adjustment bracket positioned on a front portion of said frame, the rider mounting bracket being positionable fore and aft to adjust an amount of pressure between the bottom portion of the linear groove and the lower surface of said cable.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.