Trolley Transport System

Abstract

A trolley transport system comprising at least two supports aligned in proximity to the cable, a pulley rotatably mounted to each support, a drive motor in mechanical communication with one of the pulleys, a continuous loop line suspended from the pulleys, an attachment device secured to the line, a connecting line secured to the attachment device; and a transport block slidably mounted on the cable and removably attached to the connecting line.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]1. The Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is directed to a method and system for transporting a trolley and a payload or rider along a suspended cable or rope system.[0003]2. The Background Art[0004]Many systems, such as zipline rides, employ a trolley for traveling on a suspended cable or rope system to transport a rider or other type of load across distances by force of gravity. However, in circumstances when the force of gravity is insufficient to overcome the frictional forces on the trolley and / or the loss of momentum of a rider who has come to rest on the cable, a supplemental means of propelling the trolley is necessary to transport the rider to the desired landing point.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0005]In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed for providing propulsive force to a trolley used to support a zipline rider. Also, the system operates wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is a transport system that uses a continuous loop drive line suspended between two vertical supports to propel a trolley along a cable. The drive line is fitted with attachment devices to receive a connecting line, which can be secured to the trolley or to a transport block or carabineer that is slidably attached to the zipline aft of the trolley to be driven. This allows the trolley to be easily propelled along the zipline when the transport block is placed into motion. The technical effects include a more efficient and effective transportation system that can safely and easily propel a trolley along a cable, increasing the speed and flexibility of the transportation process.

Problems solved by technology

However, in circumstances when the force of gravity is insufficient to overcome the frictional forces on the trolley and / or the loss of momentum of a rider who has come to rest on the cable, a supplemental means of propelling the trolley is necessary to transport the rider to the desired landing point.

Images