US 8,499,696 B2 · Cable transport system

Abstract

A method and system of devices facilitate the uninterrupted transport of a payload of persons (110) or cargo along a multi-segmented guide cable (180), or zip line, suspended from a series of support structures (120). Transfer mechanisms (800, 810) allow the cable to loop to a starting location or to transport between discrete endpoints. A trolley (200) carrying the payload may be powered by gravity alone, or a motorized assist may allow the cable course to be traversed without regard to relative elevations of cable supports. Safety mechanisms (300) prevent the trolley from leaving the cable (180) unintentionally. The system enables one or more riders (110) to travel along the guide cable (180) at velocities desired for recreational purposes while assuming many body positions, such as prone, sitting or standing, to provide the sensation of flying like a bird.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A cable transport system comprising:

a guide cable;
a transfer mechanism, wherein the guide cable is fixedly attached to the transfer mechanism;
and
a trolley, wherein the trolley comprises
a trolley frame, and
one or more grooved wheels mounted to the trolley frame,
the grooves of which engage and roll freely upon the guide cable and the transfer mechanism,
and
wherein the guide cable comprises two or more guide cable segments, each guide cable segment having a first support and a second support, and
wherein each support is coupled respectively to a corresponding earth-based support structure, and
wherein each support is a junction or a terminus, and
wherein the transfer mechanism supports two guide cable segments or is supported by two guide cable segments at a point near the junction of the two guide cable segments.

9 more elements

A method of transfer of a cable-borne trolley from a first guide cable segment to a second guide cable segment, the method of transfer comprising:

moving the trolley along the first guide cable segment toward a transfer mechanism;
offloading the trolley from the first guide cable segment to engage a guide track at an entry of the transfer mechanism;
moving the trolley along the guide track of the transfer mechanism toward the second guide cable segment at an exit of the transfer mechanism;
disengaging the trolley from the guide track at the exit of the transfer mechanism;
and
loading the trolley onto the second guide cable segment,
wherein the trolley maintains contact with at least one of the first or second guide cable segments or the guide track at all times, and
wherein each step of the transfer of the trolley is executed automatically as the trolley moves in a continuous motion without any significant variation in speed, and all actions depend solely on movement of the trolley and its position with respect to the transfer mechanism.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cable transport system

Life of this patent

Cable transport system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28