Abstract: An emergency arrest device for a zip line is disclosed. The device uses a rope wound around the zip line, e.g., in a double helix, as the “core reactor” that provides stopping force. The device receives the ends of the wound rope and controls the position of the rope and tension within the rope to create and modulate the stopping force. Specifically, the device may comprise a front plate, a rear plate assembly, connecting members connecting the front plate and the rear plate assembly, and a movable carriage. The rear plate assembly includes a first receiving structure adapted to receive and secure one end of the rope. The moveable carriage is mounted within the emergency arrest device between the front plate and the rear plate assembly and carries a second receiving structure adapted to receive and secure the other end of the rope.

Abstract: An emergency arrest device for a zip line is disclosed. The device uses a rope wound around the zip line, e.g., in a double helix, as the “core reactor” that provides stopping force. The device receives the ends of the wound rope and controls the position of the rope and tension within the rope to create and modulate the stopping force. Specifically, the device may comprise a front plate, a rear plate assembly, connecting members connecting the front plate and the rear plate assembly, and a movable carriage. The rear plate assembly includes a first receiving structure adapted to receive and secure one end of the rope. The moveable carriage is mounted within the emergency arrest device between the front plate and the rear plate assembly and carries a second receiving structure adapted to receive and secure the other end of the rope.

Abstract: An emergency arrest device for a zip line is disclosed. The emergency arrest device is designed to tension and control a slide-and-grip knot, such as a Prusik knot, that is tied on the zip line. The device includes a mirror-image set of sidewalls, a front endwall connected between the pair of sidewalls at a front end of the device, and a rear endwall connected at a rear end of the device. The front and rear endwalls have openings sized to permit passage of the zip line therethrough. A tail fixation assembly including a clamp is mounted in the rear of the device. A knot-body control assembly is mounted in the front of the device. The knot-body control assembly includes arms that are resiliently biased to push the body of the slide-and-grip knot rearwardly when the device is impacted.

Abstract: An emergency arrest device for a zip line is disclosed. The emergency arrest device is designed to tension and control a slide-and-grip knot, such as a Prusik knot, that is tied on the zip line. The device includes a mirror-image set of sidewalls, a front endwall connected between the pair of sidewalls at a front end of the device, and a rear endwall connected at a rear end of the device. The front and rear endwalls have openings sized to permit passage of the zip line therethrough. A tail fixation assembly including a clamp is mounted in the rear of the device. A knot-body control assembly is mounted in the front of the device. The knot-body control assembly includes arms that are resiliently biased to push the body of the slide-and-grip knot rearwardly when the device is impacted.

Abstract: A top-load trolley with speed control system is disclosed. The trolley has a housing of metal plates with a series of fixed and movable parts mounted between. A number of rollers are moveably mounted in-line within the housing such that they may ride atop of a zip line and support the weight of the trolley and a passenger. An additional roller is placed in opposition to the load-bearing rollers, arranged to contact the zip line along its underside. Thus, at least three rollers may be configured to produce an adjustable amount of friction on the zip line, thereby providing a more controlled speed down a zip line course. Additionally, an emergency brake mechanism that may be used in conjunction with the top-load trolley with speed control system is disclosed.