With Automatic Stopping Or Reversing Patents (Class 104/117.1)
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Patent number: 9499181Abstract: A zipline braking system comprising a zipline cable and a destination supporting member; a rider carrier coupled to the zipline cable for movement towards the destination supporting member, such movement generating kinetic energy; a damper having a posterior end and an anterior end and connected to the destination supporting member at the posterior end; a tension line; a stopping member coupled to the zipline cable and the tension line; and the tension line for transferring the kinetic energy to the damper upon the rider carrier engaging the stopping member in movement to the destination supporting member.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: TAG Adventure Tours Ltd.Inventors: David J. Halliday, Siegfried F. Stiemer
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Patent number: 8960098Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Inventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Mira De Avila-Shin, David B. Golay, Nickolaus W. Hill, Samuel D. Meyer, Ilona K. Phipps-Morgan
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Patent number: 8807292Abstract: Improvements in a braking system for a zip line are presented. Braking occurs when a zip line rider makes contact with a braking carriage that slides along the zip line. The braking carriage pulls on a rope. The rope pulls on a length of chain in a chain reservoir to slide and lift the claim through the chain reservoir. The chain reservoir is an elongated tube that is mounted at an angle. As the zip liner moves further into the landing platform they lift a continuing greater amount of chain from the chain reservoir. The angle of the chain reservoir, coefficient of friction between the chain and the chain reservoir affects the pull-back. After the zip liner comes to a complete stop they remove the carriage from the zip line and gravity returns the brake mechanism. Minimum pull-back makes removal of the cable trolley easier.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Inventors: Pete E. Liston, Mike K. Liston
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Patent number: 8783190Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a cylinder having a closed end and a piston slidably mounted in the interior. A braking cable is secured to the piston and routed through an opening in the closed end of the cylinder to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include a relief valve to release compressed air from the cylinder, so that the braking force may be controlled.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Inventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Brett J. Epstein, Joel C. Haas, Jesse E. Miller, Gary P. Prus
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Patent number: 8635958Abstract: A cableway system has a conveying cable and chairs, which can be coupled to the conveying cable and are coupled to the conveying cable along the path of the cableway system, are uncoupled from the conveying cable at the entrance into the stations, are guided through the stations, along guide rails, by way of control tires, and are coupled to the conveying cable again at the exit from the stations, furthermore the chairs are designed with at least one safety bar and a device for adjusting the safety bar, and for locking the same, and a device for checking the locking are arranged at the exit from the stations. A first device for adjusting and locking the safety bar and an associated device for checking the locking and a second device for adjusting and locking the safety bar and an associated device for checking the locking are provided at the exit from the stations.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Innova Patent GmbHInventor: Markus Beck
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Publication number: 20130239843Abstract: A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: ADVENTURE HOLDINGS LLCInventors: Daniel Blair Boren, Mira De Avila-Shin, David B. Golay, Nickolaus W. Hill, Samuel D. Meyer, Ilona K. Phipps-Morgan
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Patent number: 8240254Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. The brake pad may include a plurality of segments contacting the cable. A first such segment may be formed from a first material. A second such segment may be formed from a second material, distinct from the first material. The sequence, composition, gaps, and the like of the plurality of segments may be selected to provide a desired resistance to wear, frictional coefficient, all-weather braking, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Inventor: Eric C. Cylvick
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Patent number: 8191482Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and 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.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Patent number: 8087360Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. The brake pad may include a plurality of segments contacting the cable. A first such segment may be formed from a first material. A second such segment may be formed from a second material, distinct from the first material. The sequence, composition, gaps, and the like of the plurality of segments may be selected to provide a desired resistance to wear, frictional coefficient, all-weather braking, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2009Date of Patent: January 3, 2012Assignee: Zipholdings, LLCInventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Patent number: 7966940Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Zipholdings, LLC.Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Patent number: 7891300Abstract: The invention relates to a cable derailing prevention device for carrier/traction cables of cable car systems in an installation including: a carrier/traction cable; a multitude of rollers which flank a coupling rail and are located at the exit from the station; a multitude of clamps from which the driving means are suspended; at least one roller that has a couple and clamp and supports the cable, and a support roller or hold-down roller battery according to the cable guide, the coupling rail forming a coupling area between the cable and the clamps. According to the invention, an aligning device is mounted in front of the coupling area of the clamps on the cable before the coupling rail and limits the deviation of the cable due to a derailing on the roller battery so that the cable is always located inside the opening of the clamp.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: High Technology Investments B.V.Inventors: Otto Pabst, Nikolaus Erharter, Gunther Steger
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Patent number: 7800509Abstract: A ropeway may include at least one cable. A first sensor and a second sensor may be provided. The second sensor may be located between the first sensor and the cable. Related methodology is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Leitner-Poma of America, Inc.Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel Frazier, Brian Christopher Kelly
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Patent number: 7690313Abstract: A chairlift has chairs for conveying persons. The chairs may be detachably fastened to a haulage and conveying cable. A closing bar can be moved from a closed position into an open position and is mechanically connected by way of a Bowden cable or the like to a lever which interacts with rails that are arranged at the entry and exit of a station of the cableway system. In order to check whether the closing bar is completely opened or closed, a sensor for detecting the position of the actuating device is arranged in the region of the end of the rails as viewed in the conveying direction of the cable.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Innova Patent GmbHInventors: Josef Sutter, Manfred Ă–sterle, Herbert Schwendinger
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Patent number: 7637213Abstract: A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. The brake pad may include a plurality of segments contacting the cable. A first such segment may be formed from a first material. A second such segment may be formed from a second material, distinct from the first material. The sequence, composition, gaps, and the like of the plurality of segments may be selected to provide a desired resistance to wear, frictional coefficient, all-weather braking, and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Publication number: 20090255436Abstract: A zipline braking system and deceleration method having one load carrying cable, and at least one overhead member, where the overhead member can be extended above substantially the entire length of the load carrying member. A stopping member is attached with the cable, and a suspender is attached with the overhead member. A rope is attached with the stopping member and the suspender, such that when the stopping member and person traveling on the zipline move toward the finish end of the cable, the rope pulls counterweight against the force of gravity. A guide can apply friction to the rope at the finish end to further decelerate the speed of a person traveling on the zipline.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2009Publication date: October 15, 2009Inventor: Richard Barrett Buckman
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Publication number: 20090107357Abstract: Automatic cable transport facility along a closed loop line, including vehicles that can be disengaged at a set rate in stations after moving along a disengaged circuit where they are driven at low speed along disembarkation and embarkation platforms. Each station includes an automatic control mechanism able to extract the vehicles from the slow progression in the disengaged circuit, and transfer them to a disembarkation/embarkation point which is assigned to them in order of arrival, the previous vehicle having previously been reintegrated into the slow progression line in the place of the vehicle extracted in accordance with a preset program. A compensation point includes a permanently available spare empty vehicle which can be used to fill an empty space left by a vehicle that has been delayed and stopped at the disembarkation/embarkation point.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: ROPETRANS AGInventor: Jerome Richard
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Patent number: 7408474Abstract: A damage indicator for indicating potential damage to a sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Leitner-Poma of America, Inc.Inventors: Jeremiah Daniel Frazier, Brian Christopher Kelly
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Patent number: 7404360Abstract: A trolley for traveling along a cable. The trolley may include a frame having a first end, a second end, and a rail positioned between the first and second ends. A brake pad may connect to the frame. A sheave mount may also connect to the frame and include a sheave for rolling along the cable. A carriage may connect to the frame and include a user mount for suspending a user. The carriage may selectively travel along the rail through a continuous range of motion to control a braking force generated by the trolley between the brake pad and the cable.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Patent number: 7299752Abstract: A trolley retrieval system for transporting or returning trolleys from a finish area back to a start area for traveling along a cable. The systems may include a cable held in suspension between the first and second supports. A retrieval line may be suspended in a closed loop extending from proximate the first support to proximate the second support. A trolley for traveling along the cable may be selectively connectable to the retrieval line. A motivator may selectively circulating the retrieval line around the loop. A controller may control operation of the motivator.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: November 27, 2007Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
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Patent number: 6550392Abstract: The installation enables the downhill transportation of passengers from a higher station to a lower station along a rail. Cars that are guided along the rail are equipped with the first of two interacting elements of an electromagnetic braking device, in particular with one or more permanent magnets, and the guide rail being equipped with the second elements, in particular braking strips made from an electrically conductive nonmagnetizable material, such as copper or aluminum, which interact with said first elements of the braking device. Each car is equipped with one or more first elements with an operating brake that is adjustable as a function of its load, and with one or more first elements of a safety brake that is activatable during downhill travel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2002Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Innova Patent GmbHInventor: Reinhard Albrich
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Patent number: 6363858Abstract: A transport device includes a vehicle on an elongated support element extending between a departure station and an arrival station, the departure station being located at a higher elevation than the arrival station. The arrival station includes at least one braking unit for slowing the vehicle. The braking unit may be a series of rollers that engage the vehicle or a series of downwardly depending members that strike lateral extension from the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Aerofun (Societe a Responsabilite Limitee)Inventor: Philippe Voirin
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Publication number: 20010015149Abstract: A vehicle for use on a live line. The vehicle is provided with three coplanar traction wheels mounted on a frame and spaced along a first longitudinal axis parallel to the live line and above therefrom. The vehicle is also provided with two movable coplanar pressure wheels mounted on the frame and spaced along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the line and below therefrom. The vehicle has a driving motor mounted on the frame, for driving the traction wheels. The motor has a source of energy, such as batteries. The vehicle has a pressure mechanism mounted on the frame and coupled to the pressure wheels, for maintaining the line squeezed between the traction wheels and the pressure wheels. The vehicle has a control mechanism coupled to the motor for controlling the motor. Thereby, in use, the vehicle is moved along the line. The vehicle can also be provided with a de-icing tool. The de-icing tool has a collar with two parts opening and closing around the line.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2001Publication date: August 23, 2001Applicant: HYDRO-QUEBECInventors: Serge Montambault, Jacques Cote