Patents by Inventor Eric S. Cylvick

Eric S. Cylvick has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210283450
    Abstract: A climbing wall defines vertical, transverse (horizontally in-and-out, toward-and-away-from wall) and lateral (horizontally sideways) directions, mutually orthogonal. A surface treatment simulates rock by texture, holds, or both. A line (rope, cable) extends from a belay anchor, spaced away from the wall, to a climber at the wall. Line distance is controlled to eliminate slack to start, and continuously if the wall is increasingly steep and possibly curving sideways (laterally). When climbing ends, the climber swings transversely (and, optionally, laterally sideways) away from the wall in a pendulum fall, swinging (oscillating) about the belay anchor for multiple cycles and clear of contact with the wall. The fall may be intentional (the climber releasing a grip on the wall), accidental (falling from own weight), or due to line tension initiated by an automated timer or operator intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10960252
    Abstract: A climbing wall defines vertical, transverse (horizontally in-and-out, toward-and-away-from wall) and lateral (horizontally sideways) directions, mutually orthogonal. A surface treatment simulates rock by texture, holds, or both. A line (rope, cable) extends from a belay anchor, spaced away from the wall, to a climber at the wall. Line distance is controlled to eliminate slack to start, and continuously if the wall is increasingly steep and possibly curving sideways (laterally). When climbing ends, the climber swings transversely (and, optionally, laterally sideways) away from the wall in a pendulum fall, swinging (oscillating) about the belay anchor for multiple cycles and clear of contact with the wall. The fall may be intentional (the climber releasing a grip on the wall), accidental (falling from own weight), or due to line tension initiated by an automated timer or operator intervention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ZIPHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10500509
    Abstract: A cable in suspension (clear span) supports a trolley. At the upper end, a launch block fixed to the cable registers the trolley in all directions, including a safety release link holding the trolley near the launch block. After release and descent with a rider, the trolley strikes an attenuator of distributed springs and spacers. The spring stack absorbs momentum from the trolley, but a leash limits recoil “bounce” after reversing the trolley. A second, recoil, leash resists recoil by capturing a subset of the springs between respective ends of itself and the first leash. The doubly leashed trolley will oscillate to a stop in an equilibrium position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: ZIPHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20190366141
    Abstract: A climbing wall defines vertical, transverse (horizontally in-and-out, toward-and-away-from wall) and lateral (horizontally sideways) directions, mutually orthogonal. A surface treatment simulates rock by texture, holds, or both. A line (rope, cable) extends from a belay anchor, spaced away from the wall, to a climber at the wall. Line distance is controlled to eliminate slack to start, and continuously if the wall is increasingly steep and possibly curving sideways (laterally). When climbing ends, the climber swings transversely (and, optionally, laterally sideways) away from the wall in a pendulum fall, swinging (oscillating) about the belay anchor for multiple cycles and clear of contact with the wall. The fall may be intentional (the climber releasing a grip on the wall), accidental (falling from own weight), or due to line tension initiated by an automated timer or operator intervention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10213700
    Abstract: Emergency egress systems carry multiple riders simultaneously accessing zip line catenary from higher, inaccessible, working locations to lower, safer areas. Hangers above the track line suspend trolleys to avoid weighting the catenary unduly at the high end, which might otherwise alter (reduce) clearance distances and safety of riders above a launch platform (deck). Catenary shape is controlled against approaching a launch deck by sequencing the release from the hangers of each trolley to roll along the catenary with its own rider. Autonomous braking, inter-trolley bumpers, and vertical stabilizers enable each rider to quickly occupy a seat (harness, etc.) and launch onto the track line, unconcerned with riders ahead or behind until underway. Multiple trolleys may thus load, launch, and in close proximity on a single line, regardless of the total weight of multiple riders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20190039629
    Abstract: An integrated bollard, anchor, and tower (IBAT) system constructed as a single monolith may be formed of a single material, such as concrete or steel, or assembled from components of distinct materials, such as reinforced concrete with metal brackets, fixtures, fasteners, and so forth. An anchor (e.g., base, pad), sized to engage the ground therebelow by weight and friction, includes a mass sufficient to provide frictional stability (no appreciable movement) of the IBAT unit at each end of a track line (cable, wire rope, line, etc.), which wraps around the bollard portion of each upright (tower, fin) portion at an operational height defining the path of a trolley carried on the free span of the resulting catenary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10173699
    Abstract: A canopy tour system follow a route including multiple legs of track line, and may run multiple track lines in parallel along each leg, establishing the route of descent. Each leg extends between an associated upper station and lower station, used for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Multiple trolleys may travel simultaneously and in close proximity to one another as a group on a single line. Each group traveling together is controlled by a single braking trolley ahead, behind, or in the midst of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ZIPHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20180369700
    Abstract: A canopy tour system may include multiple track lines extending between associated upper and lower stations for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Mechanical interlocks assure that a trolley cannot be properly engaged with a launch block on a track line until all such interlocks are properly closed. A master computer may communicate through a network, with all stations to verify and identify times and locations of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10150487
    Abstract: Emergency egress systems carry multiple riders simultaneously accessing a zip line (catenary) from higher, accessible, working locations to lower, safer areas in a marine environment. Hangers above the track line suspend trolleys to avoid weighting the catenary unduly at the high end, which might otherwise alter (reduce) clearance distances and safety of riders above a launch platform (deck). Catenary shape is controlled against approaching the launch deck by sequencing the release from the hangers of each trolley to roll along the catenary with its own rider. Track line systems installed may be left undeployed indefinitely. Deployment of a track line will typically be fully effected at the time of egress, adding time but eliminating permanent obstructions that would result if a permanent deployment of track lines were undertaken. Terminal ends are anchored and configured to accommodate workers arriving after escape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Zipholdings, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10053115
    Abstract: An integrated bollard, anchor, and tower (IBAT) system constructed as a single monolith may be formed of a single material, such as concrete or steel, or assembled from components of distinct materials, such as reinforced concrete with metal brackets, fixtures, fasteners, and so forth. An anchor (e.g., base, pad), sized to engage the ground therebelow by weight and friction, includes a mass sufficient to provide frictional stability (no appreciable movement) of the IBAT unit at each end of a track line (cable, wire rope, line, etc.), which wraps around the bollard portion of each upright (tower, fin) portion at an operational height defining the path of a trolley carried on the free span of the resulting catenary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: ZIPHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 10010798
    Abstract: A canopy tour system may include multiple track lines extending between associated upper and lower stations for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Mechanical interlocks assure that a trolley cannot be properly engaged with a launch block on a track line until all such interlocks are properly closed. A master computer may communicate through a network, with all stations to verify and identify times and locations of users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: ZIP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20170327129
    Abstract: Emergency egress systems carry multiple riders simultaneously accessing a zip line (catenary) from higher, accessible, working locations to lower, safer areas in a marine environment. Hangers above the track line suspend trolleys to avoid weighting the catenary unduly at the high end, which might otherwise alter (reduce) clearance distances and safety of riders above a launch platform (deck). Catenary shape is controlled against approaching the launch deck by sequencing the release from the hangers of each trolley to roll along the catenary with its own rider. Track line systems installed may be left undeployed indefinitely. Deployment of a track line will typically be fully effected at the time of egress, adding time but eliminating permanent obstructions that would result if a permanent deployment of track lines were undertaken. Terminal ends are anchored and configured to accommodate workers arriving after escape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20170259181
    Abstract: A cable in suspension (clear span) supports a trolley. At the upper end, a launch block fixed to the cable registers the trolley in all directions, including a safety release link holding the trolley near the launch block. After release and descent with a rider, the trolley strikes an attenuator of distributed springs and spacers. The spring stack absorbs momentum from the trolley, but a leash limits recoil “bounce” after reversing the trolley. A second, recoil, leash resists recoil by capturing a subset of the springs between respective ends of itself and the first leash. The doubly leashed trolley will oscillate to a stop in an equilibrium position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20170157433
    Abstract: Emergency egress systems carry multiple riders simultaneously accessing zip line catenary from higher, inaccessible, working locations to lower, safer areas. Hangers above the track line suspend trolleys to avoid weighting the catenary unduly at the high end, which might otherwise alter (reduce) clearance distances and safety of riders above a launch platform (deck). Catenary shape is controlled against approaching a launch deck by sequencing the release from the hangers of each trolley to roll along the catenary with its own rider. Autonomous braking, inter-trolley bumpers, and vertical stabilizers enable each rider to quickly occupy a seat (harness, etc.) and launch onto the track line, unconcerned with riders ahead or behind until underway. Multiple trolleys may thus load, launch, and in close proximity on a single line, regardless of the total weight of multiple riders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Patent number: 9669319
    Abstract: A cable in suspension (clear span) supports a trolley. At the upper end, a launch block fixed to the cable registers the trolley in all directions, including a safety release link holding the trolley near the launch block. After release and descent with a rider, the trolley strikes an attenuator of distributed springs and spacers. The spring stack absorbs momentum from the trolley, but a leash limits recoil “bounce” after reversing the trolley. A second, recoil, leash resists recoil by capturing a subset of the springs between respective ends of itself and the first leash. The doubly leashed trolley will oscillate to a stop in an equilibrium position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: ZIPHOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20170144678
    Abstract: A canopy tour system follow a route including multiple legs of track line, and may run multiple track lines in parallel along each leg, establishing the route of descent. Each leg extends between an associated upper station and lower station, used for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Multiple trolleys may travel simultaneously and in close proximity to one another as a group on a single line. Each group traveling together is controlled by a single braking trolley ahead, behind, or in the midst of the group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20160096532
    Abstract: An integrated bollard, anchor, and tower (IBAT) system constructed as a single monolith may be formed of a single material, such as concrete or steel, or assembled from components of distinct materials, such as reinforced concrete with metal brackets, fixtures, fasteners, and so forth. An anchor (e.g., base, pad), sized to engage the ground therebelow by weight and friction, includes a mass sufficient to provide frictional stability (no appreciable movement) of the IBAT unit at each end of a track line (cable, wire rope, line, etc.), which wraps around the bollard portion of each upright (tower, fin) portion at an operational height defining the path of a trolley carried on the free span of the resulting catenary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20160046305
    Abstract: A canopy tour system may include multiple track lines extending between associated upper and lower stations for loading, launching, receiving, and unclipping, respectively, riders of trolleys on the zip lines. A system of mechanical and electronic interlocks provides safety for users in remote locations, enabling individual riders to operate trolleys, including attaching and dis-attaching the trolleys from various track lines, unattended by other workers or employees of the canopy tour operation. Mechanical interlocks assure that a trolley cannot be properly engaged with a launch block on a track line until all such interlocks are properly closed. A master computer may communicate through a network, with all stations to verify and identify times and locations of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20160038841
    Abstract: A cable in suspension (clear span) supports a trolley. At the upper end, a launch block fixed to the cable registers the trolley in all directions, including a safety release link holding the trolley near the launch block. After release and descent with a rider, the trolley strikes an attenuator of distributed springs and spacers. The spring stack absorbs momentum from the trolley, but a leash limits recoil “bounce” after reversing the trolley. A second, recoil, leash resists recoil by capturing a subset of the springs between respective ends of itself and the first leash. The doubly leashed trolley will oscillate to a stop in an equilibrium position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick
  • Publication number: 20130333586
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Eric S. Cylvick