Code control device and method

Abstract

To provide a cord control device and a cord control method which allow the fatigue of an operator to be relieved by releasing a cord at an appropriate time, thereby ensuring the safety of a bungy jumper.SOLUTION: A cord control device comprises a fixed frame 100, and a movable frame 120 which includes a gripping mechanism for holding or releasing a cord and is urged to an upper position. The movable frame is configured so as to release urging to a lower position or so as to be rotated by a combined weight of the cord and an object connected thereto, e.g., a bungy jumper. During the release or rotation, the cord can come out and fall down from the gripping mechanism due to the combined weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1B

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments relate to a code control apparatus and method for controlling a code that can be used in sports or non-sports activities, including holding or releasing the code.

Background Art

[0002] A cord or rope can be used in activities related to many sports, particularly in the adventure sports industry. Controlling the cord, particularly holding and releasing it, is an important aspect that should be carried out safely and efficiently.

[0003] One particular adventure that is the subject is the bungee jump, which is also known as the bungee jump.

[0004] In a bungee jump, a person jumps from a jump location (e.g., a bridge, building, and the like hereinafter) to which the person (jumper) is attached by a large elastic cord. The cord can be called a bungee cord or a bungee rope. When the person (jumper) jumps, the cord extends downward toward the ground. Due to the elasticity of the cord, the cord stretches until it reaches its maximum, and then the jumper jumps upward as the cord rebounds, and continues to vibrate (bounce up and down) until the kinetic energy in the cord is substantially dissipated. The commercial operation of the sport of bungee jumping has survived for the last 30 years.

[0005] The size of a bungee jump is determined by the minimum safe clearance available between the jump location and the environment below (e.g., ground, water, and the like). The size of the bungee jump then determines the length of the bungee cord, and as the length increases, the weight increases. To ensure that the minimum force is exerted on the bungee jumper, the bungee cord is manufactured to be used within a specific weight range. Lighter jumpers use thinner cords, while heavier jumpers use thicker cords. As a result, some of the heaviest and longest cords used can weigh up to 100 kilograms (kg).

[0006] One danger in bungee jumping is the bungee cord itself. The bungee cord is connected at one end to a fixed structure at or of the jump location and at the other end to the bungee jumper. During the bungee jump, the cord and its connection points have sufficient force to cause serious injury or even death to the bungee jumper. Therefore, it is important that the position of the cord relative to the jumper is controlled. This is achieved by pulling up a portion of the long and potentially heavy cord to the jump position, safely holding the cord while waiting for the jumper to jump, and releasing the cord at exactly the right time just after the jumper jumps. This exact timing of the release is important for the safety of the jumper. As the weight (length) of the bungee cord increases, the exact timing of the release becomes more difficult. The weight of the cord fatigues the operator who helps with the jump, causing errors in the release timing and potentially resulting in the operator failing to effectively control the cord.

[0007] One common solution is for a human operator to stand on the cord, but this becomes more difficult to effectively implement as the cord gets heavier. Standing on the cord can also damage and impair the integrity of the cord and thus pose a safety problem.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] Considering the above and other problems, it is absolutely necessary, especially at large bungee jumping sites, to release the cord at an appropriate time and relieve the operator's fatigue, both of which guarantee the safety of the bungee jumper.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] According to one aspect, the cord control device includes a fixed frame, a movable frame that is rotatably coupled to the fixed frame and further coupled thereto via a first biasing element for biasing the movable frame to an upper position, the movable frame including a gripping mechanism, the gripping mechanism being coupled to the movable frame via a second biasing element for biasing the gripping mechanism to a gripping release position where the constraint for releasing a portion of the cord disposed in the gripping mechanism is released, a control lever coupled to the second biasing element and operable to overcome the second biasing element to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping release position to a gripping position where the gripping mechanism is constrained to hold a portion of the cord disposed in the gripping mechanism, and comprising.

[0010] In some embodiments, the movable frame is operable to rotate from an upper position to a lower position by overcoming the first biasing element by the combined weight of the remaining portion of the cord and an object coupled thereto, during which the combined weight of the remaining portion of the cord and the object further acts to overcome the force applied to the gripping mechanism by the actuated control lever to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position to release a portion of the cord.

[0011] In some embodiments, the gripping mechanism includes a plurality of gripping rollers coupled to a second biasing element and configured to provide a channel therebetween for accommodating a portion of the cord, where, in the gripping position, the gripping rollers are configured to constrict the channel and, in the release position, the gripping rollers are configured to release the constriction of the channel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the control lever is coupled to the second biasing element by a cable, and actuating the control lever is configured to pull the cable to drive the gripping rollers toward each other.

[0013] In some embodiments, the control lever is foot-operated.

[0014] In some embodiments, the control lever is remotely located from the movable frame.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fixed frame is integrated with a bungee jumping location.

[0016] In some embodiments, the movable frame further includes a guide mechanism configured to guide any portion of the cord entering or exiting the channel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the guide mechanism includes at least one guide roller rotatably coupled to the movable frame, and the axis of rotation of the at least one guide roller is not parallel to the axis of rotation of the gripping mechanism.

[0018] In some embodiments, the at least one guide roller includes a plurality of guide rollers disposed on both sides of the movable frame.

[0019] In some embodiments, the cord is a bungee cord.

[0020] According to one aspect, a cord control method is A step of making it possible to bias a movable frame that is rotatably coupled to a fixed frame and further coupled thereto via a first biasing element upward; A step of making it possible to bias a gripping mechanism coupled to the movable frame via at least a second biasing element to a gripping release position where the gripping mechanism is not restricted; A step of disposing a part of the cord on the unrestricted gripping mechanism; A step of actuating a control lever to overcome the second biasing element, moving the gripping mechanism from the gripping release position to a gripping position where the gripping mechanism is restricted, and causing the gripping mechanism to hold a part of the cord; A step of allowing free fall of an object coupled to the remaining part of the cord; Releasing the control lever to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position and releasing a part of the cord from the gripping mechanism, or Actuating the movable frame to overcome the first biasing element by the combined weight of the remaining part of the cord and the object and rotating the movable frame from the upper position to the lower position; A step of enabling at least one of; Including.

[0021] In some embodiments, after the step of actuating the movable frame to overcome the first biasing element and rotating the movable frame from the upper position to the lower position, the method is Using the combined weight of the remaining part of the cord and the object to overcome the force applied to the gripping mechanism by the actuated control lever and moving the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position to release a part of the cord, and / or Using the combined weight of the remaining part of the cord and the object to thin a part of the cord and making the thinned part of the cord removable from the gripping mechanism in the gripping position; Further including.

[0022] In some embodiments, the method further includes removing or enabling removal of a portion of the code by having the portion of the code disengage and fall from the gripping mechanism.

[0023] In some embodiments, the method further includes guiding any portion of the code entering or exiting the channel by a guide mechanism disposed on the movable frame.

[0024] In the drawings, generally, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and are generally emphasized when showing the principles of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Fig. 1A

Fig. 1B

Fig. 1C

Fig. 1D

Fig. 2A

Fig. 2B

Fig. 2C

Fig. 2D

Fig. 3A

Fig. 3B

Fig. 4A

Fig. 4B

Fig. 5A

Fig. 5B

Fig. 6A

Fig. 6B

Fig. 7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific details and embodiments by way of example in which the present invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail so that those skilled in the art can practice the present invention. Other embodiments may also be utilized and structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, and some embodiments may be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.

[0027] Embodiments described in the context of one method or device are equally applicable to other methods or devices. Similarly, embodiments described in the context of a method are equally applicable, vice versa, to a device.

[0028] Features described in the context of one embodiment may, correspondingly, be applicable to the same or similar features in other embodiments. Features described in the context of one embodiment are applicable to other embodiments correspondingly, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Further, additions and / or combinations and / or alternatives described for a feature in the context of one embodiment may, correspondingly, be applicable to the same or similar features in other embodiments.

[0029] In the context of various embodiments, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” used with respect to a feature or element include reference to one or more of that feature or element.

[0030] In the context of various embodiments, the term “substantially” can include “strictly” and reasonable differences.

[0031] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0032] As used herein, a phrase of the form “at least one of A or B” can include A or B, or both A and B. Correspondingly, a phrase of the form “at least one of A or B or C,” or phrases including further listed items, can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0033] In the context of various embodiments, the phrases “configured to,” “arranged to,” “adapted to,” “configured and arranged to” can be used interchangeably with each other.

[0034] In the context of various embodiments, the term "control" and its related terms can refer to holding and / or releasing, the term "coupled" means connected, whether directly or indirectly, and can mean contacting, being attached to, or fixed to, the term "grip" and its related terms can mean holding or gripping, the term "enable" and its related terms can mean allowing or providing, and the term "release" and its related terms can mean removing a grip, not gripping, removing a hold, or not holding.

[0035] Various embodiments can provide a cord control device. For example, the cord control device can provide rapid release of a bungee cord during bungee jumping. Such rapid release of the bungee cord can be caused by a human operator, or automatically by the cord control device, or both.

[0036] The cord control device is described with reference to the accompanying drawings that are shown for illustrative purposes only and may be suitably modified in other embodiments.

[0037] The code control device includes a fixed frame 100 and a movable frame 120 (see FIGS. 1A and 1B). The fixed frame 100 can be fixedly coupled to the physical structure or formed integrally with the physical structure. The fixed frame 100 is preferably disposed at or near the edge of the physical structure. Such a physical structure can refer to a bungee jumping location such as a bridge, a platform, a building, or a part thereof. The movable frame 120 is rotatably coupled to the fixed frame 100, such as via one or more hinges 102, and can rotate the movable frame 120 between a plurality of positions including an upper position (see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B) and a lower position (see FIGS. 4B and 5B). The movable frame 120 is further coupled to the fixed frame 100 via a first biasing element 104 that can include one or more springs or elastic members to bias the movable frame 120 to the upper position.

[0038] The movable frame 120 includes a gripping mechanism configured to move between at least a holding position or a gripping position (FIGS. 2A and 6A) and a release position or a gripping release position (FIGS. 1A and 6B). In the holding position, the gripping mechanism provides a constraint for holding or gripping, for example, a portion of the cord (alternatively also referred to as the "cord portion" 304) disposed in the gripping mechanism along its channel 124 to prevent movement of the cord portion 304. In the release position, the gripping mechanism releases or liberates the holding of the cord portion 304 so as not to be restricted or to remove the restriction and not to prevent the movement of the cord portion 304. The cord 300 (see FIG. 3B) includes a cord portion 304 (disposed in the gripping mechanism or its channel 124) and the remaining portion of the cord (alternatively also referred to as the "remaining cord portions" 302, 306). The remaining cord portions 304 include an upper cord portion 302 extending from one end of the cord portion 304 and a lower cord portion 306 extending from the other end of the cord portion 304.

[0039] The gripping mechanism is coupled to the movable frame 120 via a second biasing element 112 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B), which can comprise one or more springs, or elastic members, for biasing the gripping mechanism to the release position (see FIG. 6B). The gripping mechanism can comprise a plurality of gripping rollers 122 arranged in a spaced relationship (see FIGS. 3A and 4A) so as to provide therebetween a channel 124 for accommodating the cord portion 304. In the release position (see FIG. 6B), the gripping rollers 122 are not actuated, and thus the channel 124 is unconstrained, allowing the cord disposed therein to move or slide along it. To move from the release position to the holding position (see FIG. 6A), the second biasing element 112 needs to be overcome, such as by actuating the control lever 210.

[0040] The control lever 210 (see FIGS. 6A, 6B, 1C, 1D, 2C, and 2D) is coupled to the second biasing element 112. Such coupling can be provided by a cable 202, other equivalent connections. The control lever 210 can be a pedal, for example, actuated by depressing the pedal and deactivated by releasing the pedal. The control lever 210 can be further rotatably coupled to the control lever housing 200 by at least one hinge 204 or the like (see FIGS. 1C, 1D, 2C, and 2D). The control lever housing 200 can be disposed remotely from, or adjacent to, the movable frame 120.

[0041] Actuating the control lever 210 is configured to overcome or apply sufficient force to release the biasing of the second biasing element 112. In particular, when the foot pedal is depressed (see FIGS. 2C and 2D), the cable 202 is rotated about the hinge. Due to the connection of the cable 202 to the second biasing element 112 that is subsequently coupled to the guide roller 202, this rotation of the cable 202 pulls or forces the gripping rollers 122 towards each other, and thus moves the gripping mechanism from the release position to the holding position (see FIG. 6A). In this holding position, the gripping rollers 122 are forced towards each other, thus constraining the channel 124, and thus the gripping mechanism holds or grips the cord portion 304 disposed in the channel 124. This gripping includes applying pressure to the sides of the cord portion 304 by the gripping rollers 122 and / or, at most, partially closing the cord portion 304 by the gripping rollers 122. When the control lever 210 is in the actuated state, the gripping mechanism remains in the holding position and the cord portion 304 also remains engaged in the predetermined position.

[0042] Releasing the actuated control lever 210 is configured to remove the biasing release force applied to the second biasing element 112 such that the second biasing element 112 can return to its biased position (see FIG. 6B). In particular, releasing the control lever 210 is configured to loosen or relieve tension on the cable 202, which in turn moves the gripping rollers 122 away from each other, and thus moves the gripping mechanism from the holding position to the release position. In the release position, the gripping rollers 122 move away from each other, thus releasing or removing the constraint in the channel 124, and thus the gripping mechanism releases the cord portion 304 disposed in the channel 124. This release can include removing the force applied by the gripping rollers 122 to the sides of the cord portion and / or releasing the closure of the cord portion 304 by the gripping rollers 122. This release can be performed when the movable frame 120 is in the upper position.

[0043] As described above, the movable frame 120 is biased upward (see FIGS. 1B, 2B, and 3B) by the first biasing element 104. When the cord portion 304 is disposed in the gripping mechanism, for example, along its channel 124, the movable frame 120 will remain in the upward position if the combined weight of the remaining cord portions 302, 306 and any object (not shown) coupled thereto does not overcome or relieve the biasing of the first biasing element 104, i.e., within a predetermined value or limit. However, if the combined weight of the remaining cord portions 302, 306 and any object coupled thereto exceeds the predetermined limit, the combined weight applies a net force that overcomes or relieves the biasing of the first biasing element 104 to rotate the movable frame 120 from the upward position to the downward position (i.e., proceeding from FIG. 3B to FIG. 4B).

[0044] While in the downward position, the control lever 210 is released or in a non-operating state, and thus, if the gripping mechanism is in the released position and unconstrained, the cord portion 304 is not held by the gripping mechanism and can therefore be removed from the channel 124 and is allowed to fall out of the channel 124 (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0045] On the other hand, while in the lower position (see FIGS. 4A and 4B), if the control lever 210 remains in the actuated state and thus the gripping mechanism is in the holding position and constrained, the combined gravity of the remaining cord portions 302, 306 and any objects attached thereto applies a downward force to the gripping mechanism including the gripping roller 122 that can overcome the lateral force applied by the actuated control lever 210. Thus, the gripping mechanism is forced to move from the holding position to the release position or in that direction, and due to the weight and gravity, the cord portion 304 is pulled out of the gripping mechanism and disengaged and allowed to fall (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). Additionally, or alternatively, due to the combined weight of the remaining cord portions 302, 306 and the objects attached thereto, as well as the elastic properties of the cord 300, the cord portion 304 can be stretched and thinned. Thus, the thinned and stretched cord portion 304 can pass through the gripping roller 122 and disengage and fall out of the gripping mechanism (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0046] The mechanisms described above for the automatic rotation of the movable frame 120 from the upper position to the lower position (i.e., the progression from FIG. 3B to FIG. 4B) and the automatic removal of the cord portion 304 from the gripping mechanism (i.e., the progression from FIG. 4B to FIG. 5B) can be referred to as fail-safe mechanisms.

[0047] The movable frame 120 can further include one or more guides configured to guide the movement of any portion of the cord that enters and / or exits the channel 124 through the edges of the movable frame 120 (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B). The guides can be provided by guide rollers 126 rotatably coupled to the movable frame 120. In this way, the cord can move or slide along the channel 124 with zero or minimal resistance relative to the movable frame 120 and its parts, thereby protecting and retaining the integrity of the cord. The axis of the guide roller 126 can be non-parallel to the axis of the gripping roller 122. The guide roller 126 can include a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene material that can be commercially available under the name of Teflon (registered trademark).

[0048] It should be understood that in other embodiments, modifications to the foregoing are possible.

[0049] In one example, the guide can be provided by a non-rotating element that can have a low coefficient of friction, such as a polytetrafluoroethylene material that can be commercially available under the name of Teflon (registered trademark). In another example, the guide can also be removed.

[0050] In one example, the control lever housing can be disposed adjacent to the movable frame.

[0051] In one example, the aforementioned guide roller 126 can be replaced by a single guide roller combined with a non-rotating element that can have a low coefficient of friction. However, the single roller and the non-rotating element are operable to provide constraints and non-constraints so as to hold and release the cord portion respectively.

[0052] In one example, the guide roller can include more than two guide rollers, and the two or more guide rollers are operable to provide constraints and non-constraints so as to hold and release the cord portion respectively.

[0053] In the foregoing example, where appropriate, in some other examples, they can be combined.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for code control. The method is described with reference to bungee jumping, but can be suitably adapted for other activities.

[0055] At block 702, the code control device of the present disclosure is provided, for example attached, at the bungee jumping location. The description of the features of the code control device will not be repeated so as not to obscure the description of the method.

[0056] At block 704, before each stage of the bungee jump, the code control device, in particular the movable frame, is biased upward, while the gripping mechanism is biased to the release position, i.e., the control lever is in the inoperative state (see FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D).

[0057] At block 706, while the gripping mechanism is in the release position (see FIGS. 1C, 1D) and while the movable frame is in the upward position (see FIGS. 1A, 1B), a portion of the cord (cord portion) is disposed in the gripping mechanism, more specifically, within the unconstrained channel. The cord portion can be disposed within the gripping mechanism by a human operator. The remaining portion of the cord (remaining cord portion) can be coupled to an object, such as a bungee jumper, at an appropriate stage during, before, or after this.

[0058] At block 708, while the movable frame is in the upper position, the control lever is actuated, for example, by a human operator (see FIGS. 2C and 2D), to actuate the gripping mechanism to grip or hold the cord portion (see FIGS. 3A and 3B). In particular, the actuated control lever applies a force to overcome the second biasing element and moves the gripping mechanism from the release position to the holding position, thereby creating a channel constraint and causing the cord portion, more specifically, a portion of the cord to be held by its gripping rollers. At this point, the cord portion is engaged in a fixed position, while at least some portion of the remaining cord portion should hang down from the movable frame.

[0059] At block 710, an object, such as a bungee jumper, coupled to the remaining cord portion, such as the free end of the lower cord portion distal to the cord portion, for example, can freely fall while the control lever is actuated, i.e., while the gripping mechanism is in the holding position and while the movable frame is in the upper position.

[0060] At block 712, depending on whether the control lever is timely released, one or more of the following may be implemented or done.

[0061] In a first possible scenario, the operator releases the actuated control lever at an appropriate time, such as before the movable frame rotates from the upper position to the lower position. In particular, while the movable frame is in the upper position, the control lever 210 can be released to move the gripping mechanism from the holding position to the release position, thus releasing the cord portion. When the cord portion is released, the cord portion can be removed from the movable frame by sliding along the channel in the direction of the falling bungee jumper due to the pull of gravity and / or the operator directly removing it from the channel and / or throwing it out of the channel. This sliding can include guiding at least some of the cord portion and at least some of the remaining cord portion by a guide, such as a guide roller or other non-rotating guide.

[0062] Alternatively, in a second possible scenario, the movable frame rotates downward (see FIGS. 4A and 4B) before or without the actuated control lever being released by the operator. In particular, while the control lever remains actuated, the combined weight of the remaining cord portion and an object coupled thereto, such as a bungee jumper, breaks a predetermined limit and generates a net force sufficient to overcome the first biasing element, rotating the movable frame from the upper position to the lower position. The net force is due to the weight of the cord and the bungee jumper after the bungee jumper has fallen a certain distance, which exerts a pull on the cord. In this lower position, if the control lever is then released to move the gripping mechanism to the release position, the cord portion is released and becomes free, removed from or disengaged and dropped from the gripping mechanism. On the other hand, in this lower position, if the actuated control lever remains unreleased, the weight of the remaining cord portion and the bungee jumper overcomes the force applied by the actuated control lever to the gripping mechanism, forcing the gripping mechanism to move from the holding position to or towards the release position and / or the cord portion is stretched due to the weight of the remaining cord portion and the bungee jumper and further due to the elastic properties of the cord, thinning the cord portion. The stretched and thinned cord portion may fall away from the gripping mechanism even if the gripping mechanism may still be in the holding position (see FIGS. 5A and 5B).

[0063] Embodiments of the present invention provide at least some of the following advantages.

[0064] The cord control device provides the human operator with the ability to hold and release the cord at a desired time without physically straining or fatiguing the human operator.

[0065] If a human operator fails to release the cord at an appropriate time after the bungee jumper has jumped, the cord control device provides a fail-safe mechanism to ensure that the cord is released at an appropriate time or before the unreleased cord poses an increased risk to the safety of the bungee jumper. This fail-safe mechanism is provided by enabling the movable frame to rotate from an upper position to a lower position when the combined weight of the remaining cord portion and the bungee jumper exceeds a predetermined level, which, firstly, overcomes the first biasing element and rotates the movable frame to the lower position, and secondly, to release the cord portion, forcibly moves the gripping mechanism from the holding position to the release position or towards it, and / or stretches or thins the cord portion such that the thinned cord portion disengages from the gripping mechanism and falls. In other words, the fail-safe mechanism is operative to automatically release the cord portion when a predetermined force or pressure on the cord is reached.

[0066] The fail-safe mechanism substantially reduces the dependence on a human operator to release the cord at an appropriate time. As is understood, premature release of the cord may cause entanglement of the jumper and the cord, while overly delayed release of the cord may damage the cord and / or impede the jump.

[0067] The control lever does not require a human operator to directly apply force or pressure to the cord in order to perform the aforementioned holding and timed release, but rather enables the force or pressure on the cord portion to be remotely applied by the human operator. In particular, the control lever can be a foot-operated type that pulls on the cable, which then controls a guide mechanism to hold or release the cord portion. Thus, the human operator does not need to stand on the cord and thus does not damage the delicate rubber material of the cord. The operator still holds another portion of the cord to ensure that the cord is not caught by other objects and / or the operator can throw the cord in a certain direction at the appropriate time, but it should be understood that the remote control function provided by the control lever enables good and safe control without causing fatigue to the operator.

[0068] Using a gripping roller to hold and release the cord portion can quickly release the cord without causing an obstruction or damage. Further, the gripping roller does not completely block the cord portion that is being held, i.e., in the holding position, and a fail-safe mechanism can provide for the cord to quickly escape from the gripping roller if the human operator makes a timing error or overly delays the release of the cord.

[0069] Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the present invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and equivalent scope of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0070] 100 Fixed frame 102 Hinge 104 First biasing element 112 Second biasing element 120 Movable frame 122 Gripping roller 124 Channel 126 Guide roller 200 Control lever housing 202 Cable 204 Hinge 210 Control lever 300 Cord 302 Upper cord portion 304 Cord portion 306 Lower cord portion

Claims

1. A cord control device, comprising: A fixed frame; A movable frame rotatably coupled to the fixed frame and further coupled thereto via a first biasing element for biasing the movable frame to an upper position. The movable frame includes a gripping mechanism, and the gripping mechanism is coupled to the movable frame via a second biasing element for biasing the gripping mechanism to a gripping release position where the constraint for releasing a part of the cord disposed in the gripping mechanism is released. A movable frame; A control lever coupled to the second biasing element and operable to overcome the second biasing element to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping release position to a gripping position where the gripping mechanism is constrained to hold a part of the cord disposed in the gripping mechanism; A cord control device comprising the above.

2. The movable frame is operable to overcome the first biasing element and rotate from the upper position to a lower position by the combined weight of the remaining part of the cord and an object coupled thereto. During this time, the combined weight of the remaining part of the cord and the object is further operable to overcome the force applied to the gripping mechanism by the actuated control lever so as to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position to release a part of the cord. The cord control device according to Claim 1.

3. The gripping mechanism includes a plurality of gripping rollers coupled to the second biasing element and arranged to provide a channel therebetween for accommodating a part of the cord. In the gripping position, the gripping rollers are configured to restrict the channel, and in the gripping release position, the gripping rollers are configured to release the restriction of the channel. The cord control device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The control lever is coupled to the second biasing element by a cable, and actuating the control lever is configured to pull the cable to drive the gripping rollers towards each other. The cord control device according to Claim 3.

5. The control lever is a foot-operated type. The cord control device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The control lever is remotely arranged from the movable frame, the cord control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The fixed frame is integrated with a bungee jumping location, the cord control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The movable frame further includes a guide mechanism configured to guide any portion of the cord entering or exiting the channel, the cord control device according to claim 3 or 4.

9. The guide mechanism includes at least one guide roller rotatably coupled to the movable frame, and a rotation axis of the at least one guide roller is non-parallel to a rotation axis of the gripping mechanism, the cord control device according to claim 8.

10. The at least one guide roller includes a plurality of guide rollers arranged on both sides of the movable frame, the cord control device according to claim 9.

11. The cord is a bungee cord, the cord control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A cord control method, Enabling the movable frame rotatably coupled to the fixed frame and further coupled thereto via a first biasing element to be biased upward; Enabling a gripping mechanism coupled to the movable frame via at least a second biasing element to be biased to a gripping release position where the gripping mechanism is not restricted; Placing a portion of the cord on the unrestricted gripping mechanism; Actuating a control lever to overcome the second biasing element, moving the gripping mechanism from the gripping release position to a gripping position where the gripping mechanism is restricted, and causing the gripping mechanism to hold a portion of the cord; Enabling free fall of an object coupled to the remaining portion of the cord; Releasing the control lever to move the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position, releasing a portion of the cord from the gripping mechanism, or Actuating the movable frame to overcome the first biasing element by the combined weight of the remaining portion of the cord and the object, and rotating the movable frame from the upward position to the downward position; Enabling at least one of; A cord control method including.

13. After the step of actuating the movable frame to overcome the first biasing element and rotating the movable frame from the upper position to the lower position, the method comprises: Using the combined weight of the remaining portion of the cord and the object to overcome the force applied to the gripping mechanism by the actuated control lever and moving the gripping mechanism from the gripping position to the gripping release position to release a portion of the cord, and / or Using the combined weight of the remaining portion of the cord and the object to narrow a portion of the cord and making the narrowed portion of the cord removable from the gripping mechanism in the gripping position, The cord control method according to claim 12, further comprising.

14. The cord control method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising the step of removing or enabling removal by a portion of the cord coming off and falling from the gripping mechanism.

15. The cord control method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, further comprising guiding any portion of the cord entering or exiting a channel provided between a plurality of gripping rollers of the gripping mechanism for receiving a portion of the cord by a guide mechanism disposed on the movable frame.

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