BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The zip line has been in use for many years and they exist in all parts of the world. Recently the development of canopy tours has made them even more popular. For purposes of this invention a zip-line is defined as a flexible cable extending longitudinally, affixed to a fixed rigid body on two ends, having a trolley assembly that can traverse the length of the cable having a rider attached. The zip line is limited in that it is always point-to-point in its use so that travel is limited to two dimensions. Providing a zip-line capable of three-dimensional travel would offer an extremely adventurous and thrilling ride, which allows the zip-line to move side to side on the ride. This would be particularly applicable to a ride through the woods in which trees may be avoided by navigating around them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This present invention is a novel zip-line construction capable of three-dimensional movement. Generally the zip-line construction comprises a single or dual cable member having two ends, a trolley assembly having the ability to traverse a desired distance along the cable member, and at least one device capable of attaching the cable member to a separate fixed body. The cable may comprise one or more strands and have sufficient strength to the support the weight of the system. The present invention expands movement of the traditional zip-line from a two-dimensional to a three-dimensional movement thereby advantageously providing a longer and more thrilling ride.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graphic representation of a zip-line system in accordance with the invention from an overhead perspective
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a dual cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cable/belt used in a dual cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a trolley assembly for a dual cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a transverse bracket useful in a dual cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a single cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a transverse bracket for the single cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a trolley assembly for a single cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 9 is cross-sectional view of a trolley assembly for a another single cable zip-line embodiment in accordance with the invention.
FIG. 10 is a closure means for securing the cable within the trolley assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a zip-line construction capable of passing around obstacles without stopping as shown in FIG. 1. The ride begins at an elevated location. A single or dual cable member (1) having two ends is rigidly attached to the fixed object at the elevated location. The trolley assembly (3) is mechanically constrained onto the single or dual cable member (1) in a manner, which allows it to freely traverse the length of the single or dual cable member without becoming separated from the single or dual cable member. The rider holds on to or is attached to a trolley assembly. The other end of the single or dual cable member is securely attached to a fixed body at ground level. One or more modifying means (2) attaches a single or dual cable member to a fixed body along the path of the cable such that the path of a cable member is modified transversely from its original path. Preferably the fixed objects are rigid objects such as trees. Typically, the path of the dual or single cable is altered so as to bring the cable closer to the object member without causing the object member to obstruct the path of the zip-line assembly. In one embodiment the modifying means is a transverse bracket attached to a fixed object and the single or dual cable member.
Preferred Embodiment, Dual Cable Zip-Line A preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in FIG. 2 comprises a dual cable member (1), a trolley assembly (2) capable of traversing the dual cable along its path, and a means of modifying the path of the cable such as a transverse bracket (3). The cable supports the rider along the path of the cable member. The trolley assembly provides for movement along the path of the cable. The bracket provides a means of attachment to the cable member and does not interfere with the passage of the trolley along the cable member.
The conventional cable for zip lines typically has a roughly circular cross-section. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cable member (1) has a cross-section similar to a dumbbell as shown in FIG. 3. However, any cable, belt, strap, or similar item which would allow the trolley assembly (2) to pass along the path along the cable while providing a means for attaching a means (3) for modifying the path of the cable would be included in the invention.
In one embodiment the cable member comprises two tensile strength members (4) that also help to create the shape of a preferred cross-section. It is also within the scope of the invention to provide a lateral strength member (6) which runs along the full length of the cable member and is used to reinforce the stability of the cable member. An overmold (5) embeds the two tensile members (4) and any lateral strength members holding their position with respect to each other as fixed. The overmold typically would be a flexible polymeric or elastomeric material, such as PVC, polyester, ABS, or the like. The overmold also helps to define the cable member cross-section. The overmold is applied to members 4 and 6 by conventional means such as extruding. In one embodiment the tensile strength members and lateral strength member provide a dumbbell shape which allow for mating the pulley wheels of the trolley assembly to the cable member.
In one embodiment a trolley assembly comprises two or more pulley wheels (6) attached by a bracket (11) to hold the pulley wheels on the cable, and a means of attachment to a rider (10). Shown in FIG. 4, at least two pulley wheels (7a) are used and they are placed adjacent to one another such that each pulley rides on opposite sides of the top of the cable member. A second pair of pulleys (7b) may optionally be placed below the first two pulley wheels to mechanically hold the trolley assembly on to the cable member. Preferably the pulleys are held in place by various axels (8) and (9). The upper axel (9) preferably is cantilevered from the bracket leaving a gap over the middle of the trolley. The lower axel (8) extends across the full width of the trolley assembly and attached on each side to bracket (11). When assembled the pulleys (7A and 7B) fit snugly on to the dual tensile strength members of the cable member (1) as shown in FIG. 2. Member (10) provides a means to attach a rider to the trolley. Any conventional means of attaching to the rider to the trolley also will be useful in the present invention.
The path of the cable member can be modified through the use of a modifying means such as a bracket (3) as shown in FIG. 5. In one embodiment the bracket (3) comprises a lateral force transfer member (12) having an attachment means integrally joined thereto (13) at one end and a means (14) at the other end to attach a tensile member such as a cable or rope. It will be understood by any one skilled in the art that any conventional means of attaching the tensile member to the bracket will fall within the scope of the invention. Typically the attachment could be made using threaded eye loops, washers, and nuts. (12) transfers a lateral force from a rope, chain, cable, bar, rod, or similar member directly through the middle of the cable/belt. Item (13) is used to join part (12) to part (1) using rivets, bolts, or other conventional fasteners (15). Item (14) provides a means to attach a tension member such as a cable or rope to the bracket (12). Any conventional method of attaching the tension member to the trolley also falls within the scope of the invention.
In an alternative embodiment the cable used could be a standard cable with circular cross-section, and the trolley could be modified to allow a bracket to attach to the cable while still allowing the trolley to pass.
Single Cable Zip-Line Embodiment The zip-line system of the invention may comprise a single or dual cable construction. FIG. 6 shows a single cable zip-line embodiment comprising a trolley assembly (21), modifying means (22) as shown separately in FIG. 7 and a single cable (20). The single cable is attached to a modifying means (22). (22) may have a thin sleeve (27B) attached around the cable. Alternatively, (22) is a cable whose strands are integrally intertwined within the strands of the cable (20). Tension may be placed on the modifying member (22) at the aperture (27A), to transversely modify the path of the cable (20). As shown in FIG. 6 the trolley assembly may be open on one side so that it is able to freely pass by the modifying means (22) without obstruction.
In the single cable zip line embodiment the trolley assembly (21) may comprise as shown in FIG. 8 two pulley wheels (23), arranged in a manner such that they firmly engage the cable (20), axels (24) and L bracket (25), and a means for attaching the rider (26). The pulley wheels may be attached to the trolley by means of two cantilevered axels (24), attached to the L bracket (25) holding the two pulley wheels (23) in place. Means for attaching the rider (26) may be attached to the L bracket (25) and allows the attachment of a rider to the trolley assembly.
Second Single Cable Embodiment As show in FIG. 9 the trolley assembly may have a closed construction that allows for non-cantilevered axels (29) to hold the pulley wheels (28). As will be understood by one skilled in the art the trolley assembly may comprise a single closed construction or a partially closed construction wherein any opening or gap in said construction is covered by a closure means (32) in a manner such that that the trolley is held more securely onto the cable. Closure means (32) preferably moves, rotates, or otherwise adjusts itself so that the trolley can pass by the modifying means (22) without obstruction. A preferred shape of part (32) is shown in FIG. 10. (32) Preferably one of the four extrusions on (32) may extend across the gap at all times. (32) may rotate around a threaded fastener, rivet, or other fastener (33) such that the trolley assembly can pass by the modifying means (22) unobstructed.
Inventor
Thomas R Boyer
2105 Arrowhead Farms Ct
Gambrills Md. 21054
Customer Number: 66640
