Recreational facility, user connection system, and method

Abstract

Recreational facility configurations for activities and attractions using activity retention systems, connection systems for securing users to such activity retention systems, and methods relating thereto. The recreational facility comprises an activity area separated from a staging area by an access barrier, one or more activity retention systems, and a connection system for attaching the activity retention system to a user harness. The connection system comprises a harness connector attached to the harness, an activity retention system (ARS) connector attached to the activity retention system, and a docking station configured to couple and uncouple the harness connector and the ARS connector, with the ARS connector securely retained in the docking station after being uncoupled from the harness connector. The designs and methods can be used to ensure the proper connection of users to activity retention systems, allow users to switch between different activities and attractions without disengaging from an activity retention system, and generally control user access to the recreational facility.

Description

RECREATIONAL FACILITY, USER CONNECTION SYSTEM, AND METHOD RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to US application number 63661724 filed June 19, 2024, which is incorporated-by-reference herein. BACKGROUND

[0002] Challenge courses are structures which comprise obstacles (also commonly referred to as course elements) for users to traverse. The elements may include, for example, various arrangements of ropes, cables, planks, beams, steps, angled surfaces, footings, panels, platforms, zip or roller sections, and the like. Many challenge courses are elevated above ground level and / or include multiple levels of elements. This can augment the overall thrill in navigating elements at height, as well as reduce the ground area footprint of the course. One such example is shown in FIG. 1, wherein a multilevel challenge course 10 comprises various obstacles or elements 12. The challenge course 10 has a course entrance 14 for accessing the upper course levels, as well as a separate ground-level course section 16.

[0003] Accordingly, challenge courses can carry an inherent risk of injury or death in the event that a user falls off the structure. To minimize this risk, users are generally attached to a fall arrest system. One such example is shown in FIG. 2, wherein a user wearing a harness 20 is navigating a beam element 12. The fall arrest system here comprises a lanyard 22 connected to a movable member or trolley 24, which is displaceably secured within overhead tracking 18 of the challenge course. The course tracking 18 provides a fixed system of navigational pathways through the challenge course (see also FIG. 1). A carabiner 26 provides the connector piece between the user harness 20 and the lanyard 22, and thereby the remainder of the fall arrest system. In other fall arrest systems, the fixed tracking system 18 is replaced by a cable pathway system, to which the lanyard is displaceably coupled via a carabiner.

[0004] Nonetheless, even with fall arrest systems, the risk of accidents occurring remains due to possible human error, including in the initial equipping of users before entering the challenge course. Even where course operators are trained to follow procedures to fit users and inspect whether the attachment was done correctly, inevitable mistakes, lapses in concentration, and environmental distractions during this process can result in the user not being properly connected. Moreover, an attachment error may not be identified until an accident occurs. Safety and comfort issues can also arise with respect to incorrect harness and lanyard sizing. For example, a small child should wear a smaller harness to ensure a secure fit, while a large adult would require a larger harness. The length of the lanyard between the user’s harness attachmentpoint and the movable member disposed within the overhead tracking should provide sufficient slack for user movements to allow navigation of course elements, but also not too long such that an unsafe fall distance would result before the user is caught by the fall arrest system in the event of a slip or fall. These issues can arise even where all load path connections have otherwise been made correctly.

[0005] Recreational facilities with challenge courses often include other attractions, such as climbing walls. Like challenge courses, climbing walls generally include fall arrest systems for safety purposes. In one example, the fall arrest system for a climbing wall comprises a belay rope extending from an automatic belay device located at the top of the climbing wall. Again, the user will typically wear a harness connected via a carabiner to an end of the belay rope. In this way, users can climb up and down the wall using climb holds or other wall elements, while safeguarded from freefalling to the ground by the fall arrest system. Although users may be able to wear the same harness for different activities, a challenge course user must detach from the challenge course lanyard in order to ascend the climbing wall and attach to the climbing wall belay rope for safety purposes, and vice versa. As above, this component exchange process introduces the risk of improper connections, and also presents a possible situation where the user has access to attractions without being secured to any fall arrest system. Other safety issues can arise from occupancy limits and unauthorized or unsecured users accessing attractions. To address these issues, facility personnel supervision and / or physical barriers between attractions are often used.

[0006] The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings. SUMMARY

[0007] The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and depicted in conjunction with systems, tools and methods which are meant to be illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other improvements.

[0008] Proceeding from this background, the disclosure relates to a user connection system for a fall arrest system, or more generally an activity retention system, of a recreational facility. One aspect is to ensure the secure connection of users with respect to such activity retention systems. Another aspect is to control the general access of users to the attraction(s) of the recreational facility. Another aspect is to control the specific access of users to individual attractions of the recreational facility. Another aspect is to allow users to safely and freelyswitch between different attractions of the recreational facility. Another aspect is to provide users with correctly sized equipment in an efficient manner. Another aspect is to reduce facility personnel requirements for operation. Another aspect is to monitor and control the number of users within the recreational facility.

[0009] An “activity retention system” physically connects a user to an activity or attraction. For example, in a challenge course, the activity retention system comprises a lanyard connected to a movable member which is displaceably secured with respect to a pathway system which defines navigational pathways for users to move through the challenge course in traversing elements. In one case, the pathway system is provided by fixed overhead tracking and the movable member is a trolley anchored within the tracking. In another case, the pathway system is provided by fixed cables and the movable member is a carabiner coupled to the cabling. For example, in a climbing wall, the activity retention system comprises a belay rope which catches the user in the event of a fall. Therefore, activity retention systems include fall arrest systems for attractions like challenge courses, climbing walls, free jump platforms, etc. However, activity retention systems also include configurations unrelated to fall arrest. In one such example, an activity retention system comprises a lanyard movably secured to a handrail or other pathway system, which controllably guides users between multiple attractions or through walking attractions. Such pathway configurations can also provide a safety aspect even though users are otherwise on stable ground, such as where users are able to pass by potential hazards (e.g. animatronics, pyrotechnics or other special effects, natural attractions like boiling hot springs, etc.). In another example, an activity retention system comprises a lanyard fixed to a vehicle, which transports users between attractions or itself provides the attraction (e.g. bumper cars, go karts, scooters, etc.). Accordingly, it should also be appreciated that activity retention systems do not necessarily connect users to navigational pathways only, since activity retention systems may also connect users to vehicles or other devices.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the recreational facility, the recreational facility comprises at least one user connection system, an activity area with one or more recreational attractions, and a user staging area. An access barrier separates the staging area and the activity area from one another. The access barrier has one or more access points for users to move between the activity area and the staging area. A pathway system defines pathways for users to move through the activity area. The pathway system extends between the activity area and the staging area at the one or more access points. An activity retention system is secured and movably disposed with respect to the pathway system. The user connection system connects the activity retention system to a user harness. The connection systemcomprises a harness connector attached to the user harness, an activity retention system (ARS) connector connectable to the harness connector, and at least one docking station in the staging area. The ARS connector is attached, via a connection point thereof, to the activity retention system. The harness connector and the ARS connector are coupled and uncoupled via the docking station. The ARS connector is securely retained in the docking station when uncoupled from the harness connector, and releasable from the docking station when coupled to the harness connector. For example, the pathway system may be a track system, and the activity retention system may comprise a lanyard connected to a moveable member which is movably disposed within the track system, with the connection point of the ARS connector attached to the lanyard opposite the moveable member. In which case, the recreational facility may have a challenge course as a recreational attraction, with the course entrance located in the activity area and the track system transitioning into course tracking of the challenge course.

[0011] A method of operating this recreational facility includes the following steps: providing the connection system, which comprises the harness connector attached to a user harness, the ARS connector attached to an activity retention system, which is movably connected to the pathway system, and the docking station configured to securely retain the ARS connector therein when the activity retention system is not in use; directing a user wearing the user harness in the staging area to engage the harness connector with the docking station having the ARS connector securely retained therein, and to operate the docking station such that the ARS connector is coupled to the harness connector and released from the docking station, whereby the user is connected to the activity retention system; directing the user, now connected to the activity retention system, into the activity area such that the user moves along the pathway system away from the docking station, whereby the user leaves the staging area and enters the activity area through the one or more access points of the access barrier; and directing the user, in exiting the activity area back into the staging area, to engage the harness connector and the ARS connector coupled thereto with the docking station, and to operate the docking station such that the ARS connector is uncoupled from the harness connector and securely retained in the docking station, whereby the user is disconnected from the activity retention system.

[0012] According to a further development of the recreational facility, the activity retention system is a first activity retention system, the ARS connector is a first ARS connector, and the one or more docking stations in the staging area are one or more first docking stations. The recreational facility further comprises a second activity retention system for another recreational attraction, including a second ARS connector attached to the second activity retention system, and one or more second docking stations in the activity area for thisrecreational attraction. For example, the second activity system may be a belay rope for a climbing wall located in the activity area, with the second ARS connector comprising a swivel connection attached to the belay rope as its connection point. The second docking station is operable to switch coupling of the harness connector between the first ARS connector and the second ARS connector. When exchanging the first ARS connector for the second ARS connector using the second docking station, the harness connector is disconnected from the first ARS connector and connected to the second ARS connector, with the first ARS connector securely retained in the second docking station and the second ARS connector released from the second docking station with the harness connector. In the reverse process, when exchanging the second ARS connector back for the first ARS connector using the second docking station, the harness connector is disconnected from the second ARS connector and connected to the first ARS connector, with the second ARS connector again securely retained in the second docking station and the first ARS connector released from the second docking station.

[0013] A method of operating this recreational facility further includes the following steps: providing, in the activity area, the second ARS connector attached to the second activity retention system, and the second docking station therefor; and directing the user, traversing the pathway system in the activity area, to engage the harness connector and the first ARS connector coupled thereto with the second docking station having the second ARS connector securely retained therein, and to operate the second docking station such that the first ARS connector is uncoupled from the harness connector and the second ARS connector is coupled to the harness connector, with the first ARS connector being securely retained in the second docking station and the second ARS connector being released from the second docking station, whereby the user is disconnected from the first activity retention system and connected to the second activity retention system.

[0014] The connection system for connecting a user harness with an activity retention system of one or more recreational attractions comprises a harness connector, an ARS connector, and a docking station configured to securely retain the ARS connector therein. The harness connector is attached to the user harness. The ARS connector is connectable to the harness connector and attached, via a connection point thereof, to the activity retention system. The docking station is operable to release the ARS connector when connecting the harness connector to the ARS connector, and to receive the ARS connector when disconnecting the harness connector from the ARS connector. According to some embodiments, for example, the docking station is mounted to a support post and vertically adjustable thereon using a control interface of the docking station.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the connection system, the harness connector comprises a body, an ARS connector lock, and a dock station key. The body has an interlock structure which forms a sliding pair with an interlock structure of the ARS connector with relative motion along a movement path (A1). The directional course of the movement path (A1) may be linear or non-linear. The ARS connector lock is configurable between a locked state, which obstructs movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A1), and an unlocked state, which allows movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A1), with the ARS connector lock biased into the locked state. The ARS connector lock may be accessible via a keyway opening formed in the body. The docking station comprises a base, a dock guide, a dock guide lock, and a harness connector key. The base has at least one retainer bar which forms a sliding pair with the ARS connector with relative motion along a movement path (A2). The dock guide is displaceable relative to the base along a movement path (A3) between a default position and a transfer position, with the dock guide biased outwardly from the base into the default position. The directional course of the movement path (A2) and / or the movement path (A3) may be linear or non-linear. For example, one or more springs engaged between the base and the dock guide may be provided to bias the dock guide into the default position. The dock guide has a body with a receptacle shaped to receive the harness connector. According to some embodiments, for example, the harness connector body has, on lateral sides thereof, profile shoulder structures, and the dock guide receptacle has, on lateral sides thereof, complimentary profile collar structures. Therefore, when the harness connector is inserted into the receptacle of the dock guide, the profile collar structures engage over the profile shoulder structures to position the harness connector within the dock guide and prevent movement of the harness connector transversely to the movement path (A3).

[0016] When the harness connector is inserted into the receptacle of the dock guide, the dock station key of the harness connector engages the dock guide lock of the docking station to switch the dock guide lock from the locked state to the unlocked state. This allows the dock guide and the harness connector to be moved together from the default position into the transfer position. When the dock guide and the harness connector are moved together from the default position into the transfer position, the harness connector key of the docking station engages the ARS connector lock of the harness connector to switch the ARS connector lock from the locked state to the unlocked state. As a result, in the transfer position, the ARS connector is slidable between the interlock structure of the harness connector and the retainer bar of the docking station. The movement path (A1) and the movement path (A2) may therefore align in the transfer position for such motion.

[0017] The interlock structure of the harness connector may comprise a channel formed into an outer surface of the harness connector body, and the interlock structure of the ARS connector may comprise a projection, which extends from a body of the ARS connector, shaped to insert into the channel. In which case, the retainer bar of the docking station may also comprise a channel that interlocks with the projection of the ARS connector to form the sliding pair with relative motion along the movement path (A2). In other embodiments, the interlock structure of the ARS connector comprises a channel, and the harness connector and retainer bar have projections that interface with this channel in an interlocking manner.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the ARS connector lock comprises a lock pin rotatable between the locked state and the unlocked state, and a torsion spring which biases the lock pin into the locked state against a stop surface. For this purpose, the lock pin may have a recess, formed in an outer surface thereof, which faces the movement path (A1) in the unlocked state thereby allowing movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A1). In such embodiments where the interlock structure of the ARS connector is provided as a projection, this projection has a lock pin recess formed therein transversely to the movement path (A1). When the ARS connector is connected to the harness connector with the ARS connector lock in the locked state, the lock pin is positioned in the lock pin recess and at least partially extends into the channel. This prevents movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A1). According to some embodiments, in order to rotate the lock pin, the lock pin has driven radial protrusions, and the harness connector key has driver protrusions. These protrusions intermesh to convert linear motion of the harness connector key into rotational motion of the lock pin when switching the ARS connector lock from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0019] Preferably, the ARS connector lock is a primary lock, and the harness connector has a secondary lock configurable between a locked position and an unlocked position, with the secondary lock biased into the locked position. In the locked position, the secondary lock obstructs movement of the ARS connector lock from the locked state into the unlocked state, and in the unlocked position, the secondary lock allows movement of the ARS connector lock from the locked state into the unlocked state. The secondary lock therefore acts as a backup or redundant safety mechanism to a potential malfunction of the primary lock. According to some embodiments, for example, the secondary lock comprises a slider, a guide pin projecting therefrom, and a spring which biases the slider into the locked position at one end of a channel in the harness connector. In the locked position, the slider provides a stop surface which prevents the ARS connector lock from moving into the unlocked position. The harness connector key may comprise a slider pin guide slot which receives the guide pin and moves theslider toward another end of the channel into the unlocked position, via a course of the slider pin guide slot repositioning the guide pin relative to the movement path (A3) when the dock guide and the harness connector are moved together from the default position into the transfer position.

[0020] According to some embodiments, at least a portion of the dock guide is arranged adjacent the retainer bar in the default position blocking movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A2). The dock guide body is arranged in another position along the movement path (A3) in the transfer position allowing movement of the ARS connector along the movement path (A2). The docking station preferably comprises a slider moveable along the movement path (A2) relative to the base and the dock guide. The slider defines an exchange cavity. When the ARS is securely retained in the docking station in the default position, the ARS connector and the blocking portion of the dock guide are arranged adjacent each other within the exchange cavity of the slider. The exchange cavity accommodates the portion of the dock guide along the movement path (A3) in the transfer position, whereby the ARS connector is slidable between the interlock structure of the harness connector and the retainer bar of the docking station by moving the slider along the movement path (A2). The slider may have a cover plate mounted thereon enclosing the exchange cavity from above, with a slot formed in the cover plate accommodating the connection point of the ARS connector. According to some embodiments, for example, the slider is rollably mounted with respect to the base by at least one spring-loaded roller disposed within a roller channel, which is contoured to bias the roller toward either end of the roller channel along the movement path (A2).

[0021] According to some embodiments, the docking station includes a dock guide stop fixed relative to the base, and the dock guide lock comprises a driving member, a driven member, and a stop channel. The stop channel receives the dock guide stop when the dock guide lock is switched from the locked state into the unlocked state. The driving member is movably disposed in a keyway channel of the dock guide lock and positionally biased toward one end of the keyway channel in the locked state of the dock guide lock. The driven member is movably disposed in a clearance channel of the dock guide lock and positionally biased toward a lower end of the clearance channel. The lower end of the clearance channel overlaps with the stop channel in the dock guide lock, such that the driven member obstructs passage of the dock guide stop along the stop channel in the locked state of the dock guide lock. According to some embodiments, for example, the driving member has a wedge projecting therefrom which engages in a complimentary wedge slot of the driven member. When the harness connector is inserted into the dock guide, the dock station key engages the driving member to move thedriving member along the keyway channel, whereby the wedge of the driving member acts against the driven member to lift the driven member upward in the clearance channel and out of the stop channel. This allows movement of the dock guide stop along the stop channel, thereby allowing the dock guide and the harness connector to be moved together relative to the base into the transfer position. Preferably, the driven member has a latch, and the harness connector body has a complementary latch receptable formed therein. When the driven member is driven upward in the clearance channel in switching from the locked state into the unlocked state of the dock guide lock, the latch extends out of an opening of the dock guide lock to engage in the latch receptacle, such that the harness connector is prevented from being pulled off the dock guide until the connection system is returned to the default position with the dock guide lock in the locked state.

[0022] The body of the harness connector preferably has a multipiece construction including at least one body portion and a harness adapter portion connected together. For example, the interlock structure for the ARS connector may be arranged on the front of the harness connector with the harness adapter portion arranged opposite thereto. The harness adapter portion has at least one harness connection point for attaching the user harness. The body portion may have a projection facing the adapter portion that interlocks with a complimentary slot of the adapter portion. The harness adapter portion preferably comprises two parts, each having a respective harness connection point as well as the complimentary slot. In this way, the two parts of the harness adapter portion may then be slid onto the projection of the body portion from opposite sides during assembly. This allows the harness adapter portion to be permanently attached to the user harness.

[0023] At least two of the harness connector, the ARS connector, and the docking station may have additional interface structures designed to prevent use with non-compatible interface structures of another partner as a passive control mechanism. For example, such interface structures may comprise complimentary pairs of profile contours and / or complimentary pairs of key pins and key slots. This enables passive control over which users are able to access which recreational activities through the provision of different equipment to appropriate users.

[0024] The docking station may comprise an entry section and an exit section connected together by the retainer bar dimensioned to hold multiple ARS connectors thereon. For example, each of the entry section and the exit section may have a respective base, dock guide, dock guide lock, and harness connector key as described above. In the transfer position, the entry section is operable to release the ARS connector from the docking station when connecting the harness connector to the ARS connector, and the exit section is operable todeposit the ARS connector into the docking station when disconnecting the harness connector from the ARS connector. End blocks may be arranged in the entry section and the exit section which, when the dock guide and the harness connector are in the transfer position, obstruct movement of the ARS connector opposite the retainer bar.

[0025] Preferably, the staging area of the recreational facility comprises at least two docking stations which are provided at different vertical positions and contain activity retention systems of different lengths sized for users of different heights. Such docking stations may be connected to the pathway system in parallel or as offshoots arranged in series for example. The docking stations in the staging area are preferably designed according to the embodiment described in the previous paragraph.

[0026] An example method of connecting a user harness to, and disconnecting the user harness from, an activity retention system with the connection system may comprise the steps:

[0027] connecting the user harness to the activity retention system via the connection system by: interfacing the harness connector, which is attached to the user harness, with the dock guide of the docking station in the default position, when the ARS connector, which is attached to the activity retention system, is held in the docking station, whereby the dock guide lock switches from the locked state to the unlocked state; moving the harness connector from the default position forward into the transfer position, whereby the ARS connector lock of the harness connector switches from the locked state to the unlocked state; moving, in the transfer position, the ARS connector from the retainer bar of the docking station to the interlock structure of the harness connector; moving the harness connector with the ARS connector from the transfer position back into the default position, whereby the ARS connector lock switches from the unlocked state to the locked state between the transfer position and the default position, thereby coupling the harness connector and the ARS connector; and removing, in the default position, the harness connector and the ARS connector coupled thereto from the docking station, whereby the dock guide lock switches from the unlocked state to the locked state; and

[0028] disconnecting the user harness from the activity retention system via the connection system by: interfacing the harness connector and the ARS connector coupled thereto with the dock guide of the docking station in the default position, whereby the dock guide lock switches from the locked state to the unlocked state; moving the harness connector and the ARS connector coupled thereto from the default position forward into the transfer position, whereby the ARS connector lock switches from the locked state to the unlocked state between the default position and the transfer position, thereby uncoupling the harness connector and the ARSconnector; moving, in the transfer position, the ARS connector from the interlock structure of the harness connector to the retainer bar of the docking station; moving the harness connector from the transfer position back into the default position, whereby the ARS connector remains on the retainer bar in the transfer position; and removing, in the default position, the harness connector from the docking station, whereby the dock guide lock switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, thereby securely retaining the ARS connector in the docking station.

[0029] In addition to aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals generally designate corresponding structures in the several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The following description is provided using example embodiments with reference to the appended figures, wherein:

[0031] FIG. 1 shows a previously known example of a multilevel challenge course;

[0032] FIG.2 shows a previously known example of a fall arrest system for a challenge course;

[0033] FIG. 3 shows an example recreational facility according to the disclosure, including climbing walls and a challenge course (only the course entrance is visible here);

[0034] FIG.4 shows the facility of FIG.3 with the climbing walls and other elements omitted;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a closer view of a portion of the facility of FIG. 4 before the entry / exit gates;

[0036] FIGS. 6-7 are schematic diagrams of connection systems according to the disclosure;

[0037] FIGS. 8-10 are schematic diagrams of a process for connecting a user harness to an activity retention system using a connection system;

[0038] FIGS. 11-13 are schematic diagrams of a process for exchanging activity retention systems using a connection system;

[0039] FIGS. 14-16 show an activity retention system for a pathway system comprising tracking being exchanged with an activity retention system for a climbing wall using a connection system;

[0040] FIG. 17 shows a front top perspective view of an example harness connector;

[0041] FIG. 18 shows a front bottom perspective view thereof;

[0042] FIG. 19 shows a rear top perspective view thereof, partially exploded;

[0043] FIG. 20 shows the harness connector of FIG. 17 with the upper body portion omitted;

[0044] FIG. 21 shows the harness connector of FIG. 20 in a side top view;

[0045] FIGS.22A and 22B show the internal locking mechanisms thereof in isolation from the view of FIG. 18 in a separated (FIG. 22A) and a non-separated (FIG. 22B) configuration;

[0046] FIG.23 is a bottom view of the harness connector with the lower body portion omitted;

[0047] FIG. 24 is a side view of the harness connector in the locked state;

[0048] FIG. 25 shows the harness connector of FIG. 24 in the unlocked state;

[0049] FIG. 26 is a front top perspective view of an example ARS connector;

[0050] FIG. 27 is a rear bottom perspective view thereof;

[0051] FIG. 28 is a front top perspective view of another ARS connector;

[0052] FIG. 29 shows the ARS connector of FIG. 25 connected to the harness connector;

[0053] FIG. 30 shows the configuration of FIG. 29 with the ARS connector in a different position along the interlocking channel structure of the harness connector;

[0054] FIG. 31 is a front top perspective view of an example docking station;

[0055] FIG.32 is a rear bottom perspective view of an example height adjustment mechanism;

[0056] FIG. 33 shows the docking station of FIG. 31 with support post components omitted;

[0057] FIG. 34 is a bottom rear perspective view thereof;

[0058] FIG.35 shows a dock guide assembly of the docking station in isolation from the view of FIG. 33;

[0059] FIG. 36 shows the dock guide assembly of FIG. 35 from the view of FIG. 34;

[0060] FIG. 37 shows a slider assembly of the docking station in isolation from the view of FIG. 33 with the retainer bars omitted;

[0061] FIG. 38 shows the slider assembly of FIG. 37 from the view of FIG. 34;

[0062] FIG. 39 shows the slider assembly of FIG. 37 with the slider cover plate omitted;

[0063] FIG.40 is a sectional view of the slider assembly taken adjacent the rollers of FIG. 39;

[0064] FIGS. 41-44 show front top perspective views of the connection system at different points of a process for exchanging a first ARS connector coupled to the harness connector for a second ARS connector held in the docking station;

[0065] FIG.45 shows interacting elements of the exchange process in isolation, from the view of FIG. 41, at the point of the exchange process shown in FIG. 41;

[0066] FIG. 46 is a perspective view thereof from the other side;

[0067] FIG.47 shows the configuration of FIG. 45 at the point of the exchange process shown in FIG. 42;

[0068] FIG.48 shows the interaction between the ARS connector lock and key, from the view of FIG. 46, at the point of the exchange process shown in FIG. 42;

[0069] FIG. 49 is a front top perspective view of the dock guide lock in the locked position with the dock guide stop;

[0070] FIG. 50 shows the dock guide lock of FIG. 49 with the casing rotated out to show internal components;

[0071] FIG. 51 is a sectional view through the dock guide lock of FIG. 49 in a region of the vertically driven member;

[0072] FIG. 52 is a front top perspective view of the dock guide lock in the unlocked position with the dock guide stop;

[0073] FIG. 53 shows the dock guide lock of FIG. 52 with the casing rotated out to show internal components;

[0074] FIG. 54 is a sectional view through the dock guide lock of FIG. 52 in a region of the vertically driven member;

[0075] FIGS.55-58 show top views of the slider assembly interacting with the ARS connectors and dock guide block at the points of the exchange process shown in FIGS.41-44, respectively, with the slider cover plate partially omitted in FIGS. 55-57,

[0076] FIG. 59 is a perspective view of another height-adjustable docking station with electronic controls in a raised position;

[0077] FIG. 60 shows the docking station of FIG. 59 in a lowered position;

[0078] FIG. 61 is a front view of the docking station of FIG. 60 with front panels omitted;

[0079] FIG. 62 is a front top perspective view of an example docking station with an entrance section and an exit section connected via a shared retaining bar;

[0080] FIG. 63 is a rear top perspective view thereof;

[0081] FIG. 64 shows the docking station of FIG. 62 in a single track configuration;

[0082] FIG. 65 shows the docking station according to FIG. 62 incorporated into a multiple track configuration, with the parallel track lanes designed for different user groups;

[0083] FIG. 66 is a side view of the multiple track configuration of FIG. 65;

[0084] FIG.67 is a schematic side view with a detail section illustrating how interface contours between the harness connector and the ARS connector can be used for different user groups so that users do not access inappropriate equipment and / or activities;

[0085] FIG.68-70 show docking stations having structural projections at different locations as another measure to prevent users from accessing inappropriate equipment and / or activities;

[0086] FIG. 71 is a perspective view of an example bypass key tool for the harness connector.

[0087] Before explaining the depicted embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] Certain terminology is used herein for purposes of clear and concise explanation, whichshould not be considered or construed as limiting. For example, terms such as “connected”, “attached”, “coupled” or similar language includes both directly and indirectly “connected”, “attached” and “coupled” unless indicated otherwise. This convention not only applies to these terms specifically mentioned, but also to similar, related, and derivative terms and phrases as well. Further, the term “lanyard” is generally used in the context of a challenge course’s fall arrest or activity retention system and the term “rope” is generally used in the context of a climbing wall’s fall arrest or activity retention system, but in each case, both terms should be construed to include actual and functional equivalents, such as lanyards, ropes, tethers, sling lines, cords, cables, straps and the like, or any other length of material or device that is capable of providing such an attachment. This same principle applies to other terms as well, such as “harness” and “movable member” to just name a couple. In general, fasteners that connect components are indicated by reference numeral 80 and fastener mounting holes for such fasteners 80 are indicated by reference numeral 82.

[0089] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, an example recreational facility 100 includes climbing walls 102 and a challenge course (only the challenge course entrance 104 is visible here). The challenge course entrance 104 shown in FIG.3 is a stairway with covered sides which leads to one or more upper levels of the challenge course. The remainder of the challenge course is not visible in FIG.3, it being understood that the challenge course can have various different design configurations according to the disclosure. One possible example of a challenge course is shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration only, wherein users traverse obstacles 12 in navigating through the challenge course 10 and access the elevated levels at the course entrance 14, which thus corresponds to the course entrance 104. A pathway system 106 guides users through the facility 100 to different activities, including, but not necessarily limited to, the climbing walls and challenge course. Here, the pathway system 106 comprises a system of overhead tracking, but other systems which provide navigational pathways such as cables or rails may be used as well. Users wear a harness 20 attached to an activity retention system which is secured to the pathway system 106. Here, the pathway system 106 uses the same activity retention system as the challenge course, since the pathway system 106 transitions into the course tracking 18 at the challenge course entrance 104. The activity retention system here comprises a lanyard 22 connected to a movable member 24 which is displaceably disposed within the pathway system 106 (see FIG. 14; see also FIG. 2 with respect to course tracking 18). In one embodiment, the movable member 24 is movably retained within the tracking system. Of course, other activity retention systems for the pathway system 106 may be used in conjunction with connection systems according to the disclosure. For example, the pathwaysystem 106 may simply provide navigational pathways for users to move between different activities, with the user switching to the challenge course’s activity retention system at the course entrance 104 to use the challenge course. In this case, the activity retention system can be different from the activity retention system of the challenge course. Connection systems between the harness 20 and the activity retention system are described in more detail below.

[0090] The climbing walls 102 and the challenge course entrance 104 are located within an activity area 108 of the facility 100. The activity area 108 is separated from a staging area 110 by an access barrier 112. For example, the access barrier 112 may be provided by fences, walls, hedges or the like. In the depicted example, the access barrier 112 comprises fencing. The access barrier 112 prevents persons from being able to freely enter the activity area 108 unless they go through the proper fitting process in the designated staging area 110. Therefore, depending on the layout of the facility 100, the access barrier 112 may also separate the activity area 108 from other surrounding areas in addition to the staging area 110. For example, in the case of an elevated challenge course, only the course entrance 104 need be located within the secured activity area 110; ground area underneath the challenge course may be used for other purposes. In FIG. 3, the area 114 underneath the challenge course is also separated from the activity area 108 by an access barrier 112, and includes tables where patrons can eat, rest and observe users engaged in activities. In other designs, the secured activity area 108 may encompass the area 114, for example, where the area 114 includes a ground-level course section or other activities requiring a connection system fitting. The example challenge course 10 of FIG. 1 depicts such a ground-level course section 16, in which case the pathway system 106 may include an additional pathway (not shown) that leads to the course tracking 18 of the ground-level course section 16.

[0091] Users are only able to pass between the staging area 110 and activity area 108 via one or more access points or gates 116, 118. The example facility 100 comprises an entry gate 116, which provides a one-way ingress point for users to enter the activity area 108, and an exit gate 118, which provides a one-way egress point for users to leave the activity area 108. Users must be connected to an activity retention system in order to pass through the entry gate 116. Although a second access point is optional, it is preferable to include the separate exit gate 118 in order to avoid obstructing user ingress traffic, as well as to provide a designated exit route in case of emergency. In the depicted example, the exit gate 118 is a one-way turnstile door gate with security barrier bars to prevent reverse passage. The staging area 110 may also be separated from the surrounding areas of the facility 100 by access barriers 112, with another access gate controlling access to the staging area 110. Various configurations are possible.

[0092] A docking bay 120 is provided in the staging area 108. In this example, the docking bay 120 has a plurality of docking stations 122 where users can attach their harnesses 20 to available lanyards 22 or detach their lanyards 22 from their harnesses 20. The number of docking stations 122 can be used to limit the number of users in the activity area 108 and thus prevent overoccupancy. Preferably, different sized harnesses 20 are provided with user height measurements used to determine the correct size of harness 20 to wear (e.g. small, medium, large). User height measurements are also preferably used to determine the correct length of lanyard 22, in order to minimize the fall distance before the user is caught by the activity retention system if the user steps or slips off a course element 12, while still providing enough slack for user movements in traversing course elements 12. A large fall distance can cause injury and increase strains on load pathway components. Preferably, users are divided by height into different groups, with each group having its own designated harnesses 20, lanyards 22 and docking stations 122. For example, the harnesses 20 and lanyards 22 for each group may incorporate a different color than the other groups, with docking stations 122 for the different groups provided on separate levels of the docking bay 120 indicated by their respective group color. In the depicted embodiment, the docking bay 120 has three levels of docking stations 122 which correspond to three groups of users. As best seen in FIG. 5, the three levels of docking stations 122 are provided at different heights, with the lowest level corresponding to the longest lanyards 22 for the shortest users, and the highest level corresponding to the shortest lanyards 22 for the tallest users. Of course, various other ways to organize and provide height groupings are possible, as further described below. Movable harness racks 124 may hold unused harnesses 20 in the staging area 110.

[0093] After an incoming user is fitted with a harness 20 in the staging area 110 and his or her harness 20 is attached to an available track lanyard 22 in a docking station 122, the user will go through the entry gate 116 where his or her attachment to the pathway system 106 is tested. If it passes the safety check, the user enters the activity area 108. Once inside the activity area 108, a user traverses the pathway system 106 to engage in different activity attractions. For example, the user may decide to enter the elevated challenge course at the course entrance 104, or instead decide to use one of the climbing walls 102. Each climbing wall 102 has a docking station 126. If the climbing wall 102 is available, a belay rope 128 for the climbing wall 102 will be secured to its docking station 126. To exchange the track lanyard 22 for the belay rope 128, the user’s connection system engages the docking station 126. In this exchange process, the user’s harness 20 detaches from the track lanyard 22 and attaches to the belay rope 128, with the user’s lanyard 22 remaining secured to the docking station 126, thus allowing the userto proceed to the climbing wall 102. The user will not be able to disconnect from the belay rope 128 until the user’s connection system reengages the docking station 126, causing the user to pick up his or her track lanyard 22 and dock the belay rope 128 back in the climbing wall docking station 126 for the next user. When finished engaging in activity attractions, the user exits the activity area 108 through the exit gate 118. The outgoing user then detaches his or her lanyard 22 in an available docking station 122 and can remove his or her harness 20.

[0094] Turning now to user connection systems according to the disclosure, the schematic diagram of FIG. 6 shows a user connection system 200 connecting the user’s harness 20 to an activity retention system 250. For example, the activity retention system 250 may be a fall arrest system for a challenge course, climbing wall, or another attraction such as a free jump platform, where the user is connected by a line to an auto belay or other device which safely controls the user’s descent in jumping off the platform. The activity retention system 250 may also be for another activity or attraction unrelated to fall arrest. In FIG.7, the connection system 200 is shown comprising a harness connector 210 which is attached to the harness 20, an activity retention system (ARS) connector 220 which is attached to the activity retention system 250, and a docking station 230 for coupling and uncoupling the connectors 210, 220. The docking station 230 generally represents any docking station, for example, docking station 122 or 126 in the previous figures. In recreational facilities 100 with only one attraction (e.g. a challenge course or climbing wall) with a singular activity retention system, the connection system 200 may only use one ARS connector 220 to which the harness connector 210 is attached while the user is using the attraction, and one docking station 230 for connecting to and disconnecting from the activity retention system 250 (entering and exiting the attraction).

[0095] FIGS.8-10 schematically show a process for connecting to the activity retention system 250 with the connection system 200. In FIG. 8, the user wearing the harness 20 with harness connector 210 is ready to hook onto the activity retention system 250 to use the facility or attraction. The ARS connector 220 with activity retention system 250 is secured to the docking station 230. For example, the activity retention system 250 could be the lanyard 22 and movable member 24 secured to pathway system 106, in which case the ARS connector 220 is attached to the lanyard 22. The activity retention system 250 could also be the belay rope 128 with auto belay device of a climbing wall, in which case the ARS connector 220 is attached to the belay rope 128. Likewise, the docking station 230 could be either docking station 122, 126 or a docking station for another attraction. In FIG. 9, the harness connector 210 is interfaced with the ARS connector 220 and docking station 230, wherein the ARS connector 220 is disengaged from the docking station 230 and coupled to the harness connector 210. In FIG. 10, the userhas moved away from the docking station 230 to use the facility or attraction, with the user’s harness 20 secured to the activity retention system 250 via the connectors 210, 220. This process is reversed when the user exits the facility or attraction.

[0096] FIGS. 11-13 schematically show a process for switching from a first attraction (or facility navigational system) to a second attraction (or facility navigational system). In FIG. 11, the user wearing the harness 20 is still secured to the activity retention system 250 via the connectors 210, 220 as in FIG. 10, and is now approaching a docking station 230 which contains an ARS connector 222 attached to another activity retention system 252. In FIG. 12, the harness connector 210 carrying the ARS connector 220 is interfaced with the ARS connector 222 and docking station 230, wherein the ARS connector 220 is disengaged from the harness connector 210 and securely retained by the docking station 230, and the ARS connector 222 is released from the docking station 230 and coupled to the harness connector 210. In FIG. 13, the user has moved away from the docking station 230 to use the second attraction, with the user’s harness 20 being secured to the activity retention system 252 via the connectors 210, 222, and with the ARS connector 220 with activity retention system 250 remaining anchored to the docking station 230. This process is reversed when the user switches back from the second attraction to the first attraction. Accordingly, the docking station 230 provides a controlled means for the harness connector 210 to pick up, drop off, or exchange ARS connectors 220, 222 and thus activity retention systems 250, 252. Once the harness connector 210 is coupled to the ARS connector 220 or 222, under normal circumstances, it can only be uncoupled using a docking station 230. In this way, the connection system 200 can passively control the number of active users through the number of available ARS connectors 220, 222 and / or docking stations 230 provided at the entry or any other point. The connection system 200 also ensures users are always connected to an activity retention system, while allowing users to switch between different activities without supervision.

[0097] Further illustrating an exchange process corresponding to FIGS. 11-13, FIGS. 14-17 show a user moving between a facility’s pathway system 106 and a climbing wall 102, such as may occur in the recreational facility 100 of FIGS. 3-5 for example. In FIG. 14 (compare FIG. 11), the user is wearing harness 20 with harness connector 210 secured thereon. The harness connector 210 is preferably connected to the harness 20 at more than one attachment point, in order to provide redundancy for safety purposes in case one attachment point fails for whatever reason. In this example, the harness connector 210 is secured to the harness 20 at two attachment points via straps 28. More or less attachment points may be employed in other embodiments. Carabiners 26 could also be used instead of straps 28, or the harness connector210 could be directly fixed to material of the harness 20. The harness connector 210 may have some freedom of movement relative to the harness attachment point(s), and / or the harness attachment point(s) may have some freedom of movement relative to the user, for ease of interfacing the harness connector 210 with docking stations 230. The harness connector 210 is coupled to ARS connector 220, which is connected to the activity retention system 250. In particular, the ARS connector 220 is connected here to the lanyard 22 for the pathway system 106, with the lanyard 22 in turn connected to movable member 24, which is displaceably secured with respect to the pathway system 106. Like in FIG. 2, the movable member 24 extends through a slot of the tracking of the pathway system 106, with the portion of the movable member 24 within the tracking (e.g. a puck or slide member) dimensioned so that it cannot fall through the slot. In this way, the movable member 24 is displaced along the pathway system 106 as the user moves along the pathway system 106, while also providing an anchor with respect to the pathway system 106. Other configurations and designs for the activity retention system 250, to which the ARS connector 220 is attached, are also possible. The ARS connector 222 is connected to another activity retention system 252. In particular, the ARS connector 222 is connected here to belay rope 128 for the climbing wall 102. Again, other configurations and designs for the activity retention system 252 are also possible. The ARS connector 222 is secured in docking station 230, which in this example corresponds to the climbing wall docking station 126. The height of the docking station is preferably adjustable to accommodate users of different heights. Here, the docking station 126 is movably disposed within a slot formed in a plate. The vertical extension of the slot has three offshoots provided at different heights. Users can move the docking station 126 between these offshoots for ease of interfacing with the docking station 126. In general, the docking station 126 would be placed in the lowest offshoot for shorter users, and in the highest offshoot for taller users. Of course, various arrangements for adjusting the height position of the docking station 230 are possible, as further described below.

[0098] In FIG. 15 (compare FIG. 12), the harness connector 210 carrying ARS connector 220 is interfaced with the ARS connector 222 and docking station 126. The user and harness 20 are omitted here for clarity. During the activity retention system exchange process, the ARS connector 220 is disengaged from the harness connector 210 and securely retained by the docking station 126, and the ARS connector 222 is released from the docking station 126 and coupled to the harness connector 210. In FIG. 16 (compare FIG.13), the user has moved away from the docking station 126 and is using the climbing wall 102. Although not visible here, the harness connector 210 of the harness 20 is coupled to the ARS connector 222 and in turn thebelay rope 128, which is controllably anchored within an auto belay device at the top of the climbing wall 102. The ARS connector 220—and therefore lanyard 22 and movable member 24—remains secured in the docking station 126. When done using the climbing wall 102, the user will drop off the ARS connector 222 and pick up the ARS connector 220 in a reverse exchange process, wherein ARS connector 222 is disengaged from the harness connector 210 and securely retained by the docking station 126, and the ARS connector 220 is released from the docking station 126 and coupled to the harness connector 210. The user can then continue along the pathway system 106 to use another attraction or exit the facility.

[0099] Each of the harness connector 210, the ARS connector 220 or 222, and the docking station 230 interact with one another during an exchange process. The ARS connectors 220, 222 have at least one docking station retaining structure and at least one harness connector retaining structure, which may be provided by one and the same structure. The docking station 230 has at least one ARS connector retaining structure and at least one harness connector interface structure. The harness connector 210 has at least one ARS connector retaining structure and at least one docking station interface structure. When the ARS connector 220 or 222 is coupled (locked) to the docking station 230, the at least one docking station retaining structure of the ARS connector interfaces with the at least one ARS connector retaining structure of the docking station. When the ARS connector 220 or 222 is coupled (locked) to the harness connector 210, the at least one harness connector retaining structure of the ARS connector interfaces with the at least one ARS connector retaining structure of the harness connector. When switching between these two configurations of the ARS connector 220 or 222 (coupled to the docking station 230 or coupled to the harness connector 210), the at least one docking station interface structure of the harness connector 210 interplays with the at least one harness connector interface structure of the docking station 230. This interplay allows ARS connector 220 or 222 to release from the docking station 230 and couple to the harness connector 210, or vice versa in the reverse exchange process. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the harness connector 210, the ARS connectors 220, 222, and the docking station 230 are separate and separable components from one another.

[0100] Example structures and mechanisms are now described for the interaction between the components 210, 220, 222, 230 of the connection system 200. However, those skilled in the art will recognize numerous other design possibilities exist for such interaction, without the same needing to be described in detail herein, and which are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. It should be appreciated that the two different reference numerals for the ARS connectors 220, 222 and the activity retention systems 250, 252 are used where beneficial todistinguish the separate components for purposes of explanation and illustration. Otherwise, the reference numeral 220 fully encompasses the reference numeral 222 and vice versa, and the reference numeral 250 fully encompasses the reference numeral 252 and vice versa. The following statements regarding the design of ARS connector 220 apply equally to the ARS connector 222, and the following statements regarding the activity retention system 250 apply equally to the activity retention system 252, and therefore such statements are generally not repeated in the express context of an ARS connector 222 or an activity retention system 252.

[0101] FIGS. 17-24 show an example harness connector 210 of the connection system 200. The harness connector 210 has a body 302, an ARS connector lock 304, a dock station key 306, and at least one anchor or connection point 308 for attaching the body harness 20 to the harness connector 210. Here, the body 302 includes an upper portion 310, a lower portion 312, and a harness adapter portion 314, which provides two connection points 308 in this example. In other embodiments, the at least one connection point 308 may be provided by the upper portion 310 and / or lower portion 312. The portions 310, 312, 314 are assembled via fasteners 80 inserted in respective fastener mating holes 82. The harness adapter portion 314 is preferably formed by two parts 315 that interface with the portions 310, 312 in an interlocking manner, such as a puzzle piece or dovetail joint. In the depicted example, the backside of the portions 310, 312 have an interlock structure 316 that mates with an interlock structure 318 formed in both adapter parts 315. Here, the interlock structure 316 is provided as projection 316 and the interlock structure 318 is provided as slot 318, though other configurations are also possible. During assembly, the parts 315 are slid onto the projection 316 toward one another from opposite directions and then fastened. Each part 315 provides a respective harness connection point or loop 308. With this configuration, the parts 315 may be permanently fixed to the harness 20, such as by running harness webbing 28 through the loop 308 prior to stitching, thereby forming a strong and safe attachment, and at the same time, the portions 310, 312, 314 may also be readily disassembled from one another for efficient maintenance, repair, or replacement thereof in a modular manner. The harness connection points 308 may attach to the same or different webbing straps 28 depending on the particular harness design. Carabiners 26 may also be used to secure the harness 20 to one or more connection points 308.

[0102] Opposite the harness adapter portion 314, on the front of the harness connector 210, the body 302 has an interlock structure 320 with a complimentary profile contour to an interlock structure 404 of the ARS connector 220. The interlock structures 320, 404 are configured to form a sliding pair with relative motion along a movement path A1 (see FIGS. 29-30). The directional course of the movement path A1 may be linear or non-linear. In the depictedexample, the movement path A1 follows a linear path such that the relative motion of the sliding pair is characterized by a linear motion, which may provide benefits in terms of simplicity and operability for new users. In the depicted example, the interlock structure 320 of the harness connector 210 comprises a channel 320, and the interlock structure 404 of the ARS connector 220 comprises a projection 404 shaped to insert into the channel 320. In other embodiments, the interlock structure 320 may be provided as a channel and the interlock structure 404 provided as a slot. Preferably, the channel 320 and the projection 404 are horizontally oriented, such that the projection 404 can only exit the channel 320 laterally out the sides. With this configuration, the ARS connector 220 may be transferred between the interlock structures of the harness connector 210 and the docking station 230 with a single motion. If vertically oriented, the top end of the channel 320 is preferably closed, such that the projection 404 can only exit the channel 320 out the bottom end, against the force of the load when oriented upright.

[0103] The ARS connector lock 304 is configurable between a locked position or state L1, which obstructs movement of the ARS connector 220 along the movement path A1, and an unlocked position or state U1, which allows movement of the ARS connector 220 along the movement path A1. The ARS connector lock 304 is biased into the locked state L1. The ARS connector lock 304 is typically arranged within the body 302 of the harness connector 210 and inaccessible, or at least inoperable, without the harness connector key 508 or bypass tool 800 as described in more detail below. Here, the ARS connector lock 304 is accessible via a keyway opening or channel 322 formed in the body 302. In the depicted example, the ARS connector lock 304 comprises a lock pin 324 and a spring 326. The lock pin 324 is rotatable between the locked state L1 and the unlocked state U1. The torsion spring 326 biases the lock pin 324 into the locked state L1 against a rotary motion stop 328 provided by the body 302. In the locked state L1, the lock pin 324 protrudes outward into the channel 320 (see FIG. 24). The projection 404 of the ARS connector 220 has a groove or recess 406 to accommodate the lock pin 324 in this position. The lock pin 324 has, along at least a portion thereof, a cutout segment or recess 330 formed in an outer surface thereof. When the lock pin 324 is rotated into the unlocked state U1, the recess 330 faces toward the channel 320 such that the lock pin 324 does not block the movement path of the ARS connector 220 along the movement path A1 in this position (see FIG. 25). In the depicted example, the lock pin 324 has radial driven protrusions 334 arranged in the keyway channel 322. The harness connector key 508 has corresponding driver protrusions 516. The protrusions 334, 516 are configured to intermesh to convert the relative linear motion of the harness connector key 508 into rotational motion of the lock pin 324 whenswitching the ARS connector lock 304 from the locked state L1 to the unlocked state U1.

[0104] Preferably, the ARS connector lock 304 is a first or primary lock 304, and the harness connector 210 further comprises a secondary lock 336 for safety redundancy. This reduces the risk of the ARS connector 220 detaches from the harness connector 210 in the event that the primary lock 304 fails for whatever reason. The secondary lock 336 is configurable between a locked position or state L2, which obstructs movement of the ARS connector lock 304 from the locked state L1 into the unlocked state U1, and an unlocked position or state U2, which allows movement of the ARS connector lock 304 from the locked state L1 into the unlocked state U1. The secondary lock 336 is biased into the locked position L2. In the depicted example, the secondary lock 336 comprises a slider 338, a guide pin 340 projecting therefrom, and a spring 342 which biases the slider 338 into the locked position L2. The slider 338 is movably disposed in a channel 344 formed in the body 302. The channel 344 is preferably formed between the upper and lower portions 310, 312 of the body 302 for production and assembly purposes. The spring 342 biases the slider 338 to one end of the channel 344. In this locked position L2, the slider 338 acts as another rotary motion stop 328 that prevents the lock pin 324 from rotating into the unlocked state U1. When moved into the unlocked position U2 at the other end of the channel 344 against the spring bias force, the slider 338 is positioned out of the way of the movement path of the lock pin 324, such that the ARS connector lock 304 is able to move into the unlocked state U1 when actuated by the harness connector key 508 of the docking station 230. The ends of the channel 344 provide the stops 346 defining the movement range of the slider 338. To unlock the secondary lock 336, the harness connector key 508 further comprises a slider pin guide slot 518 which engages the slider guide pin 340 as described in more detail below. The harness connector 210 preferably comprises one or more additional interface structures 348, 350, 352 (see FIGS. 17-18) which are described in more detail below.

[0105] FIGS. 26-27 show an example ARS connector 220 of the connection system 200. Another ARS connector 222 of the connection system 200 may have the same design as this ARS connector 220 or a different design for a particular use. The ARS connector 220 comprises a body 402 with an interlock structure 404 formed on the backside of the body 402 facing the harness connector 210 when coupled thereto. In the depicted example, the interlock structure 404 is a projection 404 shaped to slidably insert into the harness connector channel 320. The projection 404 preferably has a dovetail, bulb, tee, or similar shape in cross section, where the width of the projection 404 increases in its extension away from the body 402 at least in part. The interlock channel 320 has a complimentary shape in cross section. In this way, theprojection 404 is securely retained in the channel 320 in all directions except the direction of the movement path A1 of the sliding pair (see FIGS. 29-30). The projection 404 includes a recess 406 which receives the lock pin 324 in the locked state L1 of the ARS connector lock 304, such that the ARS connector 220 is prevented from moving along the movement path A1. A component of the activity retention system 250 (e.g. lanyard 22, belay rope 128, or an intermediary connection piece such as a carabiner 26) is attached to the anchor or connection point 408 of the ARS connector 220. In FIGS. 26-27, the connection point 408 is provided as a connection loop 408. In FIG.28, the ARS connector 220 has a connection point 408 provided as a swivel yoke 408. The yoke 408 is connected to the body 402 in the manner of a swivel with ball bearings, such that the yoke 408 is rotatable over 360° relative to the body 402 and thus also the harness connector 210. This rotational freedom between the user and activity retention system 250 may be desirable for certain activities, such as climbing walls for example.

[0106] FIGS.31-40 show an example docking station 230. The docking station 230 comprises a base member 502, a dock guide assembly 504, a dock guide lock 506, and a harness connector key 508. The base 502 has at least one retainer bar 510 configured to form a sliding pair with the ARS connector 220 with relative motion along a movement path A2. The directional course of the movement path A2 may be linear or non-linear. In the depicted example, the movement path A2 follows a linear path such that the relative motion of the sliding pair is characterized by a linear motion, which may provide benefits in terms of simplicity and operability for new users. Preferably, the retainer bar 510 interlocks with the same interlock structure 404 of the ARS connector 220 as the interlock structure 320 of the harness connector 210. For example, the interlock structure 404 of the ARS connector 220 may be provided as the projection 404, with the retainer bar 510 comprising a channel 511 shaped to receive the projection 404. Preferably, in the transfer position P2, the movement paths A1, A2 align such that the ARS connector 220 is slidable between the interlock structures of the harness connector 210 and the retainer bar 510 of the docking station 230, for example with a single linear motion (see FIGS. 42-43).

[0107] The dock guide 504 comprises a body 512 with a receptacle 514 shaped to receive the harness connector 210. The receptacle 514 is formed on the front side of the body 512 facing away from the base member 502. The dock guide 504 is displaceable relative to the base 502 between the default position P1 and the transfer position P2 of the system 200 along a movement path A3 (see FIGS. 41-42). The directional course of the movement path A3 may be linear or non-linear. In the depicted example, the movement path A3 follows a linear pathsuch that the relative motion of the sliding pair is characterized by a linear motion, which may provide benefits in terms of simplicity and operability for new users. The dock guide 504 is biased outwardly away from the base 502 into the default position P1. The dock guide 504 is arranged in a channel 503 of the base 502 which accommodates movement of the dock guide 504 along the movement path A3. The retainer bar 510 may be provided on one or both sides of the channel 503 above the base 502 depending on the embodiment. The base housing 505 encloses the dock guide 504 from the sides and below. To operate the docking station 230: the harness connector 210 is inserted in the receptacle 514 of the dock guide 504; the harness connector 210 and dock guide 504 are moved forward into the transfer position P2 for the ARS connector transfer; and after the ARS connector transfer, the harness connector 210 and dock guide 504 are moved back into the default position P1. This straight forward-and-backward motion provides an easy and intuitive mode of operation from a user perspective. When the harness connector 210 is inserted into the receptable 514, the interfacing profiles of the harness connector 210 and the dock guide 504 restrict movement of the harness connector 210 relative to the docking station 230 except along the movement path A3. In the depicted example, the profile of the harness connector 210 includes shoulders 348 formed on sides of the harness connector 210 (see FIG. 17), and the profile of the receptacle 514 includes complimentary collars 520 with upper inward projections (see FIG. 33). The profile collars 520 engage over the complimentary profile shoulders 348 when the harness connector 210 is inserted into the receptable 514. In this way, the harness connector 210 is prevented from being improperly lifted out of the docking station 230: the harness connector 210 can only be moved forward along the movement path A3 to the transfer position P2, or backward until fully disengaged from the docking station 230.

[0108] In the depicted example, the body 512 of the dock guide 504 includes an upper block portion 522 and a lower block portion 524 which are fixed together via fasteners 80. In the default position P1, the upper block portion 522 is positioned adjacent the retainer bars 510 preventing the inward movement and release of any ARS connectors 220 held therein along the movement path A2. One or more springs 526 bias the dock guide 504 outwardly away from the base 502 into the default position P1. Here, two compression springs 526 are mounted on respective rods 527 between the base housing 505 of the base 502 and the lower block portion 524 of the dock guide body 512. The dock guide lock 506 is configurable between a locked position or state L3, which prevents the dock guide 504 from moving from the default position P1 into the transfer position P2, and an unlocked position or state U3, which allows movement of the dock guide 504 from the default position P1 into the transfer position P2. The lowerblock portion 524 houses the dock guide lock 506 in the depicted example. The keyway channel 556 of the dock guide lock 506 and the harness connector key 508 are arranged in the receptable 514 to interface with counterparts of the harness connector 210, though other embodiments may have different configurations. The harness connector key 508 and a dock guide stop 528 are mounted to the base 502 within the base housing 505 and fixed to one another via fasteners 80. The dock guide stop 528 is configured to engage the dock guide lock 506. The harness connector key 508 extends through the body 512 of the dock guide 504 into the receptable 514. The dock guide lock 506, harness connector key 508, and dock guide stop 528 are described in more detail below.

[0109] The docking station 230 in FIGS. 31-40 is particularly designed for the exchange or transfer of ARS connectors 220, such as may occur when a user switches between different recreational activities. For this process, the docking station 230 further comprises a slider assembly 530 movably mounted with respect to the base member 502 (see FIGS. 37-40). The slider 530 comprises a body 532 with cover plate 534 mounted thereon via fasteners 80. The slider 530 has an exchange cavity 536. The open side of the cavity 536 faces the dock guide 504. The three closed sides of the cavity 536 are provided by the slider body 532. The bottom of the cavity 536 opens to the dock guide channel 503 of the base 502. The top of the cavity 536 is closed by the cover plate 534 except for the holding slot 538 formed in the front side of the cover 534. The holding slot 538 is shaped to accommodate two ARS connectors 220, particularly the ARS connection points 408 thereof. The slider 530 interacts with a detent pin 540. The detent pin 540 is biased upward by a spring 542 mounted between the base housing 505 and the detent pin 540. The detent pin 540 preferably has a guide plate 544, with the base housing 505 having a complementary shaped pin slot, to maintain an alignment of the detent pin 540. The top end of the detent pin 540 has at least one roller 546. The detent roller 546 acts against the slider 530 from below. One or more fixed rollers 548 engage the slider 530 from above. In this way, the detent roller 546 biases the slider 530 upward against the fixed rollers 548. The upward force reduces the slider’s resistance to motion relative to the base 502, which provides for easier movement and operation of the slider 530. The fixed rollers 548 counteract the upward force to maintain a desired vertical position of the slider 530. The slider 530 may be either spaced apart from the base 502 by a clearance gap or contacting the base 502 depending on the embodiment. In the depicted example, the detent roller 546 is arranged in a slot 550 formed in the bottom of the slider body 532. Preferably, the slot 550 has a saddle shape with a center portion along the longitudinal extension thereof formed as a convex surface which presses the detent roller 546 and pin 540 downward against the force of the spring 542. Thisconfiguration provides a detent interplay whereby the slider 530 is biased into the ends of the slot 550. The fixed rollers 548 are arranged in a slot 552 formed in the top of the slider body 532. The fixed rollers 548 are mounted to a fixed block member 554, which is in turn mounted to the base 502. In this arrangement, the slider assembly 530 is movable along the movement path A2 relative to the base 502.

[0110] FIGS. 41-44 show the example connection system 200 going through an exchange process. In FIG. 41, the harness connector 210 is coupled to ARS connector 220, and ARS connector 222 is securely retained in the docking station 230. The docking station 230 is in the default position P1 here. In FIG. 42, the harness connector 210 and the ARS connector 220 have been fully inserted into the docking station 230, with the system 200 now in the transfer position P2. The forward direction of this motion is indicated by movement path A3 in FIG. 41. In FIG. 43, the ARS connectors 220, 222 have been laterally moved or shifted within the docking station 230, whereby the ARS connector 220 is disengaged from the harness connector 210 and replaced by the ARS connected 222. The direction of this exchange motion is indicated by movement path A2 in FIG. 42. The exchange motion is arbitrarily shown right to left here, as the ARS connector 222 could have equally started in the position occupied by the ARS connector 220 in FIG. 44, in which case the exchange motion would be left to right. Other motions may be employed depending on the configuration of system components, though the simple side-to-side linear movement is considered to be an easy and intuitive mode of operation from a user perspective. In FIG. 44, the harness connector 210 and the ARS connector 222 have been coupled together and withdrawn from the docking station 230, with the ARS connector 220 remaining securely retained in the docking station 230. The direction of this release motion is indicated by movement path A3 in FIG.43. The process is reversed to switch from the ARS connector 222 back to the ARS connector 220. Additional details regarding the interplay between the system components are now explained.

[0111] FIGS. 45-46 correspond to the point of the exchange process in FIG. 41 where the system 200 is in the default position P1. These views show the primary lock 304 and the secondary lock 336 of the harness connector 210, as well as the dock guide lock 506, harness connector key 308, and the dock guide stop 528 of the docking station 230, in isolation. The primary lock 304 is in the locked position L1 with the lock pin 324 rotated so that the recess 330 thereof faces away from the ARS connector 220. The secondary lock 336 is in the locked position L2 with the slider 338 positioned at the end of the channel 344 closer to the closer to the lock pin 324 to provide the stop 328 obstructing rotational movement of the lock pin 324 into the unlocked position U1. The dock guide lock 506 is in the locked position L3 whereinthe dock guide stop 528 prevents the dock guide 504 from moving into the transfer position P2 as described below in reference to FIGS. 49-51.

[0112] FIGS. 47-48 correspond to the point of the exchange process in FIG. 42 where the system 200 is in the transfer position P2. The dock guide lock 506 has been switched into the unlocked position U3 via the dock station key 306 engaging the keyway channel 556 of the dock guide lock 506, wherein the dock guide stop 528 is inserted into the stop channel 558 of the dock guide lock 506 to allow the relative movement of the dock guide 504 toward the base 502 along the movement path A3 as described below in reference to FIGS.52-54. The harness connector key 508 of the docking station 230 has been inserted into the keyway channel 322 of the harness connector 210 and switched the primary lock 304 into the unlocked position U1, whereby the driver protrusions 516 of the key 508 engaged the driven protrusions 334 to rotate the lock pin 324 so that the recess 330 thereof faces the ARS connector 220. The harness connector key 508 has also switched the secondary lock 336 into the unlocked position U1, whereby the slider pin guide slot 518 received the guide pin 340 and, via a course of the guide slot 518 repositioning the guide pin 340 relative to the movement path A3, moved the slider 338 to the opposite end of the channel 344. In this way, the course of the guide slot 518 extends, at least in parts, the distance between the locked position L2 and the unlocked position U2 within the slider channel 344, and, when moving from the default position P1 into the transfer position P2, in the direction of the unlocked position U2 at the one end of the channel 344.

[0113] FIGS. 49-51 show dock guide lock 506 and dock guide stop 528, with the system 200 in the default position P1 and the dock guide lock 506 in the locked state L3, and therefore correspond to the point of the exchange process in FIGS.41 and 45-46. As seen here, the dock guide lock 506 comprises a casing 560, a driver member 562, and a driven member 564. The casing 562 is formed by two parts for purposes of assembly. In the depicted example, the driver member 562 is configured to move horizontally in the keyway channel 556, and the driven member 564 is configured to move vertically in a clearance channel 566 within the casing 560. Alignment pin 568 engages a slot in the driver member 562 to help guide movement thereof in the keyway channel 556. Similarly, alignment pin 570 engages a slot in the driven member 564 to help guide movement thereof in the clearance channel 566. The driver member 562 comprises a wedge 572 projecting therefrom and the driven member 564 has a corresponding wedge slot 574 to accommodate the wedge 572 therein. In the locked state L3, the lower portion of the driven member 564 is positioned in the stop channel 558 blocking passage of the dock guide stop 528. This interplay between the dock guide stop 518 and the driven member 564 prevents the dock guide 504 from being moved into the transfer position P2 when the dockguide lock 506 is in the locked state L3. The driven member 564 further comprises a latch 576 configured to extend out of an opening 578 to engage a latch receptacle 350 of the harness connector 210. The latch receptacle 350 is formed into the bottom of the harness connector body 302 as seen in FIG. 18.

[0114] FIGS. 52-54 show dock guide lock 506 and dock guide stop 528, with the system 200 in the transfer position P2 and the dock guide lock 506 in the unlocked state U3, and therefore correspond to the point of the exchange process in FIGS. 42 and 47-48. The dock station key 306 of the harness connector 210 has pushed the top portion of the driver member 562 to the other end of the keyway channel 556. With this horizontal motion, the wedge 572 acts against the driven member 564 within the wedge slot 574 to force the driven member 564 upward in the clearance channel 566 into the unlocked state U3, such that the driven member 564 is lifted out of the stop channel 558. This interplay allows the stop channel 558 to accommodate the dock guide stop 528 as the dock guide 504 being moved relative to the base 502 into the transfer position P2. With the vertical displacement of the driven member 564, the latch 576 is extended up out of the opening 578 into the latch receptacle 350 of the harness connector 210. In this way, once the dock guide 504 and the harness connector 210 are moved together out of the default position P1 toward transfer position P2, the harness connector 210 cannot be pulled off the dock guide 504 as a result of the engagement between the latch 576 and the latch receptacle 350 until the system 200 is returned back into the default position P1.

[0115] The interplay of the components during the exchange process are further illustrated in FIGS. 55-58. FIG. 55 shows the point of the exchange process in FIG. 41 with the system 200 in the default position P1. The ARS connector 222 is securely retained in the docking station 230 on one of the retainer bars 510. The upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 is positioned in the dock guide channel 503 between the ARS connector bars 510 obstructing movement of the ARS connector 222 along the movement path A2 in the direction of the dock guide channel 503 (left in the depicted example configuration). The slider assembly 530 restricts movement of the ARS connector 222 in the opposite direction along the movement path A2 (right in the depicted example configuration). FIG. 56 corresponds to the point of the exchange process in FIG. 42 with the system 200 in the transfer position P2. At this point, the harness connector 210 (not shown here), the ARS connector 220, and the dock guide 504 have been pushed forward along the movement path A3 until the upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 is no longer blocking movement of the ARS connectors 220, 222 along the movement path A2. FIG. 57 corresponds to the point of the exchange process in FIG. 43 with the system 200 still in the transfer position P2. Here, the slider 530 has been shifted relative to the base member 502,whereby the ARS connector 222 is moved off the one retainer bar 510 and into the harness connector 210, thereby pushing the ARS connector 220 out of the harness connector 210 and onto the other retainer bar 510 along the movement path A2 (left in the depicted example configuration). FIG. 58 corresponds to the point of the exchange process in FIG. 44 with the system 200 back in the default position P1. At this point, the upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 has been moved backward along the movement path A3 and is again positioned in the dock guide channel 503 between the ARS connector bars 510. The upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 is now obstructing movement of the ARS connector 220 along the movement path A2 in the direction of the dock guide channel 503 (right in the depicted example configuration). The slider assembly 530 restricts movement of the ARS connector 220 in the other direction along the movement path A2 (left in the depicted example configuration). As seen in FIGS. 55-58, the width D1 of the exchange cavity 536 of the slider 530 is configured to accommodate either the two ARS connectors 220, 222 together, or the upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 and one of the ARS connectors 220 or 222. The depth D2 of the exchange cavity 536 is sized accommodate the upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504 in transfer position P2 such that the ARS connectors 220, 222 can be moved along the movement path A2 between the retainer bars 510 and the harness connector 210. The channel width D3 between the retainer bars 510 corresponds to the widths of the ARS connectors 220, 222 and the upper portion 522 of the dock guide 504. The depth D4 of the slider cover slot 538 is sized to accommodate the upper parts of the ARS connectors 220, 222, in particular the attachment points 408 for the connection systems 250, 252, with the slider cover plate 534 closing the remainder of the exchange cavity 536. Preferably, the tolerance gaps between components are dimensioned such that certain foreign objects, particular fingers, cannot fit between or otherwise get caught by the system components and mechanisms.

[0116] The vertical position of the docking station 230 may be fixed or adjustable. In FIGS. 31-44, the vertical position of the docking station 230 is manually adjustable. In particular, the docking station 230 comprises a fixed post 602 with a vertical slide shaft 604 along which the vertical position of the docking station 230 may be adjusted (see FIGS.31-32). A cap 606 may be at the top of the slide shaft 604 to retain the docking station 230 thereon. As part of the base support assembly 502, a handle plate 608 is also provided that users can grip to adjust the height of the docking station 230 up and down on the slide shaft 604. The slide shaft 604 extends through an opening in the handle plate 608. The adjustment mechanism comprises a compression spring 610 positioned between a friction pad 612 and a fastener 614. The friction pad 612 acts against the slide shaft 604 to maintain the docking station 230 at a desired height.The fastener 614 extends through to the outer surface of the base housing 505 which allows for easy adjustment of the mechanism. Tightening the fastener 614 will compress the spring 610 against the friction pad 612, which in turn increases the friction force between the friction pad 612 and the slide shaft 604, thereby making it harder to physically raise or lower the docking station 230 along the slide shaft 604. Loosening the fastener 614 has the opposite effect, making it easier to move the docking station 230. The frictional force should be set strong enough to support the load requirements of the docking station 230, but not so high that vertical adjustment is prevented or unduly difficult for users. According to other embodiments, the height of the docking station 230 may be vertically fixed with steps or other platform structures provided to allow users of different heights to use the docking station 230.

[0117] Preferably, the docking station 230 is vertically adjustable via electronic control. FIGS. 59-61 show a possible example of such an automatic docking station 230, which is otherwise the same as the docking station 230 of FIGS. 31-44 except for the vertical adjustment mechanism. The docking station 230 includes a user interface or control dashboard 616. The interface 616 may comprise a simple up / down switch 618 to adjust the height as in the depicted example, as well as more complex functionalities and information displays as desired. The docking station 230 is in a raised position in FIG. 59 and a lowered position in FIG. 60. The adjustable outer cover portion 620 is mounted over the fixed support post 602. The front panels of the support post 602 and outer cover 620 have been omitted in FIG. 61 to show internal components. The moving platform 622 supports the connection system components of the docking station 230. A telescoping actuator tube 624 and guide rails 626 are connected to the bottom of the platform 622. The guide rails 626 are aligned by guide blocks 628. An actuator motor 630 and gearbox 632 raise and lower the actuator tube 624, which in turns moves the platform 622 and components fixed thereto.

[0118] FIGS.62-63 show another example docking station 230 particularly designed for initial attachment to and final detachment from the activity retention system 250. This docking station 230 comprises an entry docking station section 590 and an exit docking station section 592, which can be used simultaneously by entering and exiting users. The apparatus may also be referred to as a docking bay 120 with an entry docking station 590 and an exit docking station 592 (see also FIGS.64-66). The entry section 590 provides a one-way ingress for entering users to pick up activity retention systems. The exit section 292 provides a one-way egress for exiting users to drop off the activity retention systems. The sections 590, 592 are provided on opposite ends of the docking station 230 and share the same ARS connector retainer bar 510. This elongated bar 510 can retain and store multiple ARS connectors 220 at the same time. End barblocks 594 are provided at either end of the retainer bar 510 to block further movement of the ARS connectors 220 along the movement path A2 when the dock guide 504 and harness connector 210 are in the transfer position P2. This docking station 230 may be the only docking station provided for the initial fitting and final unfitting of the activity retention systems. In other words, the individual staging area docking stations 122 depicted in FIGS. 3-5 may be replaced by one or more docking station 230 according to FIGS. 62-63. Since the users are not exchanging ARS connectors 220, the slider assembly 530 is also unnecessary. In practice, either side may be used to pick up or drop off the ARS connector 220. However, the one-way traffic flow promotes an equal distribution of wear of the equipment inventory. End bar blocks 594 are provided at either end of the retainer bar 510 in the entry and exit sections 590, 592 to block further movement of the ARS connectors 220 along the movement path A2 when the dock guide 504 and harness connector 210 are in the transfer position P2. FIG. 64 shows a single docking station 230 according to FIGS. 62-63 fixed to posts 602 with an overhead pathway system 106. In embodiments where users are divided by height into different groups, each group may have its own separate docking station 230 according to FIGS. 62-63 which retains the ARS connectors 220 attached to the activity retention systems 250 designated for that particular group. For example, FIGS.65-66 show three such docking stations 230 provided at different height levels in a similar manner as the staging area docking stations 122 in the docking bay 120 described above. The three docking stations 230 are configured as parallel lanes which connect to the same pathway system 106, such as a challenge course track system for example. The docking stations 230 are mounted to the support posts 602 via mounting brackets 640. For example, the base member 502 may be fixed to the mounting bracket 640 with fasteners 80.

[0119] Referring now to FIGS. 67-70, the connectors 210, 220, 230 may be designed and configured so that only certain connectors can be used with certain other connectors and vice versa as a passive control measure. For example, as in FIG. 67, the connectors 210, 220, 230 may be provided with differently shaped profiles 702, 704, 706, such that only connectors with matching geometry are usable together. A harness connector 210 with contour 702 would not be able to interface with ARS connectors 220 having contours 704 or 706. Similarly, as seen in FIGS. 68-70, the connectors 210, 220, 230 may be provided with key pins 708 that require complimentary grooves to use. In order to use a particular docking station 230, the harness connector 210 would need to have a key slot 352 (see FIG. 17) that positionally aligned with the key pin 708. In this way, the connection system 200 may be used to passively control which users are able to access which activities, by assigning users with certain harness connectors210 and assigning activities with certain ARS connectors 220 for the activity retention systems 250. For example, children may have harness connectors 210 that are only able to access age appropriate activities. On the other hand, there may be universal connectors 210, 220, 230 that can be used for any activity or accessed by any user. Various arrangements are possible with this system.

[0120] FIG.71 shows a bypass tool 800 for uncoupling the ARS connectors 220, 222 from the harness connector 210 without using a docking station 230. For example, operator personnel may carry this compact hand tool 800 for use in the case of emergency or other situations. One end of the tool 800 comprises structure corresponding to the harness connector key 508 of the docking station 230, namely, the driver protrusions 516 and the slider pin guide slot 518. The other end of the tool 800 serves as a handle portion 802. In this way, the tool 800 may be directly inserted into the keyway opening 322 of the harness connector 210 to unlock the primary and secondary locks 302, 336 in the same manner as the harness connector key 508. Preferably, the tool 800 further comprises structure corresponding to the dock station key 306 of the harness connector 210, such that the tool 800 is also able to unlock a docking station 230 without using a harness connector 210 as needed.

[0121] While a number of aspects and embodiments have been discussed herein, those skilled in the art will recognize numerous modifications, permutations, additions, combinations and sub-combinations therefor, without same needing to be specifically explained or shown in the context of this disclosure. The claims should therefore be interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations, which are within their true spirit and scope. Each embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.

[0122] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the claims. Whenever a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are hereby incorporated into this disclosure. The above definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention.LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS challenge course 330 pin recess course obstacles or elements 334 driven protrusions course entrance 336 secondary / backup lock ground-level course section 338 slider course tracking 340 slider guide pin user harness 342 slider spring lanyard 344 slider channel moveable member or trolley 346 slider stop carabiner 348 interface profile shoulder harness strap 350 dock guide latch receptable fasteners 352 access control structure (slot) fastener mounting holes 402 ARS connector body recreational facility 404 interlock structure (projection) climbing wall 406 lock pin recess challenge course entrance 408 ARS connection point pathway system 502 base member activity area 503 dock guide channel staging area 504 dock guide assembly access barrier 505 base support housing separate area 506 dock guide lock access point (entry gate) 508 harness connector key access point (exit gate) 510 retainer bar for ARS connector docking bay 511 interlock structure (channel) staging area docking station 512 dock guide body harness rack 514 dock guide receptable climbing wall docking station 516 driver protrusions belay rope or cable 518 slider pin guide slot connection system 520 interface profile collar harness connector 522 upper block portion ARS connector 524 lower block portion ARS connector 526 spring docking station 527 rod activity retention system 528 dock guide stop activity retention system 530 slider assembly harness connector body 532 slider body ARS connector lock (primary) 534 slider cover plate dock station key 536 slider exchange cavity harness connection point 538 cover plate slot upper body portion 540 detent pin lower body portion 542 spring harness adapter portion 544 guide plate modular adapter parts 546 detent roller interlock structure (projection) 548 fixed roller interlock structure (slot) 550 detent roller channel interlock structure (channel) 552 fixed roller channel keyway opening 554 fixed roller mounting block lock pin 556 dock guide lock keyway channel spring 558 dock guide lock stop channel pin stop 560 dock guide lock casingdock guide lock driving member A1 movement path dock guide lock driven member A2 movement path clearance channel A3 movement path keyway channel guide pin L1 locked state of primary lock clearance channel guide pin U1 unlocked state of primary lock driving member wedge L2 locked state of secondary lock driven member wedge slot U2 unlocked state of secondary lock dock guide lock latch L3 locked state of dock guide lock dock guide lock latch opening U3 unlocked state of dock guide lock entry section P1 system default position exit section P2 system transfer position end bar blocks D1 exchange cavity width support post D2 exchange cavity depth slide shaft D3 channel width shaft cap D4 cover slot depth handle plate spring friction pad adjustment fastener control interface up / down switch outer cover portion moving support platform actuator tube guide rails guide blocks actuator motor gearbox post mounting bracket sloped interface profile level interface profile sloped interface profile key fins tool handle portion

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A connection system (200) for connecting a user harness (20) with an activity retention system (250) of one or more recreational attractions (10, 102), comprising: a harness connector (210) attached to the user harness (20), an activity retention system (ARS) connector (220) connectable to the harness connector (210) and attached, via a connection point (408) thereof, to the activity retention system (250), and a docking station (230) configured to securely retain the ARS connector (220) therein, the docking station (230) operable to release the ARS connector (220) when connecting the harness connector (210) to the ARS connector (220), and to receive the ARS connector (220) when disconnecting the harness connector (210) from the ARS connector (220), the harness connector (210) comprises a body (302), an ARS connector lock (304), and a dock station key (306), wherein the body (302) has an interlock structure (320) configured to form a sliding pair with an interlock structure (404) of the ARS connector (220) with relative motion along a movement path (A1), wherein the ARS connector lock (304) is configurable between a locked state (L1), which obstructs movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A1), and an unlocked state (U1), which allows movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A1), and wherein the ARS connector lock (304) is accessible via a keyway opening (322) formed in the body (302) and biased into the locked state (L1), the docking station (230) comprises a base (502), a dock guide (504), a dock guide lock (506), and a harness connector key (508), wherein the base (502) has at least one retainer bar (510) configured to form a sliding pair with the ARS connector (220) with relative motion along a movement path (A2), wherein the dock guide (504) has a body (512) with a receptacle (514) shaped to receive the harness connector (210), and the dock guide (504) is displaceable relative to the base (502) along a movement path (A3) between a default position (P1) and a transfer position (P2), with the dock guide (504) biased outwardly from the base (502) into the default position (P1), and wherein the dock guide lock (506) is configurable between a locked state (L3), which prevents the dock guide (504) from moving from the default position (P1) into the transfer position (P2), and an unlocked state (U3),which allows movement of the dock guide (504) from the default position (P1) into the transfer position (P2), and when the harness connector (210) is inserted into the receptacle (514) of the dock guide (504), the dock station key (306) of the harness connector (210) engages the dock guide lock (506) of the docking station (230) to switch the dock guide lock (506) from the locked state (L3) to the unlocked state (U3), thereby allowing the dock guide (504) and the harness connector (210) to be moved together from the default position (P1) into the transfer position (P2), and when the dock guide (504) and the harness connector (210) are moved together from the default position (P1) into the transfer position (P2), the harness connector key (508) of the docking station (230) engages the ARS connector lock (304) through the keyway opening (322) of the harness connector (210) to switch the ARS connector lock (304) from the locked state (L1) to the unlocked state (U1), such that, in the transfer position (P2), the ARS connector (220) is slidable between the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210) and the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230).

2. The connection system (200) of claim 1, wherein the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210) comprises a channel (320) formed into an outer surface of the body (302), and the interlock structure (404) of the ARS connector (220) comprises a projection (404), which extends from a body (402) of the ARS connector (220), shaped to insert into the channel (320).

3. The connection system (200) of claim 2, wherein the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230) comprises a channel (511) configured to interlock with the projection (404) of the ARS connector (220) to form the sliding pair with relative motion along the movement path (A2).

4. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, in the transfer position (P2), the movement path (A1) and the movement path (A2) align such that the ARS connector (220) is slidable between the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210) and the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230).

5. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ARS connector lock (304) comprises a lock pin (324) rotatable between the locked state (L1) and the unlocked state (U1), and a torsion spring (326) which biases the lock pin (324) into the locked state (L1) against a stop surface (328), and wherein the lock pin (324) has an axial recess (330), formed in an outer surface thereof, which faces the movement path (A1) in the unlocked state (U1) thereby allowing movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A1).

6. The connection system (200) of claim 5, wherein the projection (404) of the ARS connector (220) has a lock pin recess (406) formed therein transversely to the movement path (A1), and when the ARS connector (220) is connected to the harness connector (210) with the ARS connector lock (304) in the locked state (L1), the lock pin (324) is positioned in the lock pin recess (406) and at least partially extends into the channel (320), thereby preventing movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A1).

7. The connection system (200) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the lock pin (324) has driven radial protrusions (334), the harness connector key (508) has driver protrusions (516), and the protrusions (334, 516) are configured to intermesh to convert linear motion of the harness connector key (508) into rotational motion of the lock pin (324) when switching the ARS connector lock (304) from the locked state (L1) to the unlocked state (U1).

8. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ARS connector lock (304) is a primary lock, and the harness connector (210) further comprises a secondary lock (336) configurable between a locked position (L2), which obstructs movement of the ARS connector lock (304) from the locked state (L1) into the unlocked state (U1), and an unlocked position (U2), which allows movement of the ARS connector lock (304) from the locked state (L1) into the unlocked state (U1), and wherein the secondary lock (336) is biased into the locked position (L2).

9. The connection system (200) of claim 8, wherein the secondary lock (336) comprises a slider (338), a guide pin (340) projecting therefrom, and a spring (342) which biases the slider (338) into the locked position (L2) at one end of a channel (344) in the harnessconnector (210), wherein, in the locked position (L2), the slider (338) provides a stop surface (328) which prevents the ARS connector lock (304) from moving into the unlocked position (U1), and wherein the harness connector key (508) comprises a slider pin guide slot (518) configured to receive the guide pin (340) and move the slider (338) toward another end of the channel (344) into the unlocked position (U2), via a course of the slider pin guide slot (518) repositioning the guide pin (340) relative to the movement path (A3) when the dock guide (504) and the harness connector (210) are moved together from the default position (P1) into the transfer position (P2).

10. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the body (302) of the harness connector (210) has, on lateral sides thereof, profile shoulder structures (348), and the receptacle (514) of the dock guide (504) has, on lateral sides thereof, complimentary profile collar structures (520), and wherein, when the harness connector (210) is inserted into the receptacle (514) of the dock guide (504), the profile collar structures (520) engage over the profile shoulder structures (348) to position the harness connector (210) within the dock guide (504) and prevent movement of the harness connector (210) transversely to the movement path (A3).

11. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the body (302) of the harness connector (210) comprises one or more body portions (310, 312) and a harness adapter portion (314) connected together, with the interlock structure (320) arranged on a frontside of the body (302) and the harness adapter portion (314) opposite thereto, wherein the harness adapter portion (314) has at least one harness connection point (308) for attaching the user harness (20), and wherein the one or more body portions (310, 312) have a projection (316) facing the adapter portion (314) that interlocks with a complimentary slot (318) of the harness adapter portion (314).

12. The connection system (200) of claim 11, wherein the harness adapter portion (314) comprises two parts (315), which each have a respective harness connection point (308) and the slot (318), with the two parts (315) slid onto the projection (316) from opposite sides during assembly.

13. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, one or more springs (526) engaged between the base (502) and the dock guide (504) bias the dock guide (504) into the default position (P1).

14. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the docking station (230) further comprises a dock guide stop (528) fixed relative to the base (502), and the dock guide lock (506) comprises a driving member (562), a driven member (564), and a stop channel (558), wherein the stop channel (558) is configured to receive the dock guide stop (528) when the dock guide lock (506) is switched from the locked state (L3) into the unlocked state (U3), wherein the driving member (562) is movably disposed in a keyway channel (556) of the dock guide lock (506) and positionally biased toward one end of the keyway channel (556) in the locked state (L3) of the dock guide lock (506), and the driving member (562) has a wedge (572) projecting therefrom which engages in a complimentary wedge slot (574) of the driven member (564), wherein the driven member (564) is movably disposed in a clearance channel (566) of the dock guide lock (506) and positionally biased toward a lower end of the clearance channel (566) which overlaps with the stop channel (558) in the dock guide lock (506), such that the driven member (564) obstructs passage of the dock guide stop (528) along the stop channel (558) in the locked state (L3) of the dock guide lock (506), wherein, when the harness connector (210) is inserted into the dock guide (504), the dock station key (306) engages the driving member (562) to move the driving member (562) along the keyway channel (556), whereby the wedge (572) of the driving member (562) acts against the driven member (564) to lift the driven member (564) upward in the clearance channel (566) and out of the stop channel (558), which allows movement of the dock guide stop (528) along the stop channel (558), thereby allowing the dock guide (504) and the harness connector (210) to be moved together relative to the base (502) into the transfer position (P2).

15. The connection system (200) of claim 14, wherein the driven member (564) further comprises a latch (576) and, when the driven member (564) is driven upward in the clearance channel (566) in switching from the locked state (L3) into the unlocked state (U3) of the dock guide lock (506), the latch (576) extends out of an opening (578) of the dock guide lock (506) to engage in a complimentary latch receptacle (350) formed in the body (302) of the harness connector (210), such that the harness connector (210)is prevented from being pulled off the dock guide (504) until the connection system (200) is returned to the default position (P1) with the dock guide lock (506) in the locked state (L3).

16. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein at least a portion (522) of the body (512) of the dock guide (504) is arranged adjacent the retainer bar (510) in the default position (P1) blocking movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A2), and wherein the body (512) of the dock guide (504) is arranged in another position along the movement path (A3) in the transfer position (P2) allowing movement of the ARS connector (220) along the movement path (A2).

17. The connection system (200) of claim 16, wherein the docking station (230) comprises a slider (530) moveable along the movement path (A2) relative to the base (502) and the dock guide (504), wherein the slider (530) defines an exchange cavity (536), wherein, when the ARS is securely retained in the docking station (230) in the default position (P1), the ARS connector (210) and the portion (522) of the dock guide (504) are arranged adjacent each other within the exchange cavity (536) of the slider (530), and wherein the exchange cavity (536) of the slider (530) is configured to accommodate the portion (522) of the dock guide (504) along the movement path (A3) in the transfer position (P2) whereby the ARS connector (220) is slidable between the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210) and the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230) by moving the slider (530) along the movement path (A2).

18. The connection system (200) of claim 17, wherein the slider (530) has a cover plate (534) mounted thereon enclosing the exchange cavity (536) from above, and the cover plate (534) includes a slot (538) formed therein for accommodating the connection point (408) of the ARS connector (220).

19. The connection system (200) of claim 17 or 18, wherein the slider (530) is rollably mounted with respect to the base (502) by at least one spring-loaded roller (546) disposed within a roller channel (550), which is contoured to bias the roller (546) toward either end of the roller channel (550) along the movement path (A2).

20. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the docking station (230) is mounted to a support post (602) and vertically adjustable thereon using a control interface (616) of the docking station (230).

21. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the docking station (230) comprises an entry section (590) and an exit section (592) connected together by the retainer bar (510), which is dimensioned to hold multiple ARS connectors (210) thereon, and each of the entry section (590) and the exit section (592) have a respective base (502), dock guide (504), dock guide lock (506), and harness connector key (508), and wherein, in the transfer position (P2), the entry section (590) is operable to release the ARS connector (220) from the docking station (230) when connecting the harness connector (210) to the ARS connector (220), and the exit section (592) is operable to deposit the ARS connector (220) into the docking station (230) when disconnecting the harness connector (210) from the ARS connector (220).

22. The connection system (200) of claim 21, wherein end blocks (594) are arranged in the entry section (590) and the exit section (592) which, when the dock guide (504) and the harness connector (210) are in the transfer position (P2), obstruct movement of the ARS connector (220) opposite the retainer bar (510).

23. The connection system (200) of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein at least two of the harness connector (210), the ARS connector (220), and the docking station (230) have additional interface structures (702, 704, 706, 708, 352) designed to prevent use with non-compatible interface structures (702, 704, 706, 708, 352) of another partner (210, 220, 230) as a passive control mechanism.

24. The connection system (200) of claim 23, wherein the interface structures (702, 704, 706, 708, 352) comprise complimentary pairs of profile contours (702, 704, 706) and / or complimentary pairs of key pins (708) and key slots (352).

25. A recreational facility (100) having at least one connection system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, and further comprising: an activity area (108) with one or more recreational attractions (10, 102),a staging area (110) separated from the activity area (108) by an access barrier (112), wherein the access barrier (112) has one or more access points (116, 118) for users to move between the activity area (108) and the staging area (110), and a pathway system (106) defining pathways for users to move through the activity area (108), wherein the pathway system (106) extends between the activity area (108) and the staging area (110) at the one or more access points (116, 118), and the activity retention system (250) is movably disposed with respect to the pathway system (106), wherein the staging area (110) comprises one or more docking stations (122, 230) for coupling and uncoupling of the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220), with the ARS connector (220) securely retained in the docking station (122, 230) when uncoupled from the harness connector (210).

26. The recreational facility (100) of claim 25, wherein the pathway system (106) is a track system (106), the activity retention system (250) comprises a lanyard (22) connected to a moveable member (24) which is movably disposed within the track system (106), and the connection point (408) of the ARS connector (220) is attached to the lanyard (22) opposite the moveable member (24).

27. The recreational facility (100) of claim 26, further comprising a challenge course (10) with a course entrance (14) located in the activity area (108), wherein the track system (106) transitions into course tracking (18) of the challenge course (10).

28. The recreational facility (100) of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the activity retention system (250) is a first activity retention system (250), the ARS connector (220) is a first ARS connector (220), and the one or more docking stations in the staging area (110) are one or more first docking stations (122, 230), the recreational facility (100) further comprising: at least one climbing wall (102) in the activity area (108), a second activity retention system (252) with a belay rope (128) for the climbing wall (102), a second ARS connector (222) attached to the second activity retention system (252), wherein the connection point (408) of the second ARS connector (222) comprises a swivel connection (408) attached to the belay rope (128), anda second docking station (126, 230) provided in the activity area (108) for the climbing wall (102), wherein the second docking station (126, 230) is operable to switch coupling of the harness connector (210) between the first ARS connector (220) and the second ARS connector (222), wherein, when exchanging the first ARS connector (220) for the second ARS connector (222) using the second docking station (126, 230), the harness connector (210) is disconnected from the first ARS connector (220) and connected to the second ARS connector (222), with the first ARS connector (220) securely retained in the second docking station (126, 230) and the second ARS connector (222) released from the second docking station (126, 230), and wherein, when exchanging the second ARS connector (222) for the first ARS connector (220) using the second docking station (126, 230), the harness connector (210) is disconnected from the second ARS connector (222) and connected to the first ARS connector (220), with the second ARS connector (222) securely retained in the second docking station (126, 230) and the first ARS connector (220) released from the second docking station (126, 230).

29. The recreational facility (100) of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the staging area (110) comprises at least two docking stations (122, 230) which are provided at different vertical positions and contain activity retention systems (250) of different lengths for users of different heights.

30. The recreational facility (100) of claim 29, wherein each docking station (122, 230) in the staging area (110) comprises an entry section (590) and an exit section (592) connected together by the retainer bar (510), which is dimensioned to hold multiple ARS connectors (210) thereon, and each of the entry section (590) and the exit section (592) have a respective base (502), dock guide (504), dock guide lock (506), and harness connector key (508), and wherein, in the transfer position (P2), the entry section (590) is operable to release the ARS connector (220) from the docking station (230) when connecting the harness connector (210) to the ARS connector (220), and the exit section (592) is operable to deposit the ARS connector (220) into the docking station (230) when disconnecting the harness connector (210) from the ARS connector (220).

31. The recreational facility (100) of claim 29 or 30, wherein the docking stations (122, 230) in the staging area (110) are connected to the pathway system (106) in parallel or as offshoots arranged in series.

32. A method of operating a recreational facility (100) having an activity area (108) with one or more recreational attractions (10, 102), and a staging area (110) separated from the activity area (108) by an access barrier (112) having one or more access points (116, 118) for users to move between the activity area (108) and the staging area (110), the method comprising: providing a connection system (200) which comprises a harness connector (210), an activity retention system (ARS) connector (220), and a docking station (230), wherein the harness connector (210) is attached to a user harness (20), wherein the ARS connector (220) is connectable to the harness connector (210) and attached, via a connection point (408) thereof, to an activity retention system (250), wherein the activity retention system (250) is movably connected, opposite the ARS connector (220), to a pathway system (106) defining pathways for users to move through the activity area (108) and extending between the activity area (108) and the staging area (110) at the one or more access points (116, 118), and wherein the docking station (230) is configured to securely retain the ARS connector (220) therein, directing a user wearing the user harness (20) to engage the harness connector (210) with the docking station (122, 230) having the ARS connector (220) securely retained therein in the staging area (110), and to operate the docking station (122, 230) such that the ARS connector (220) is coupled to the harness connector (210) and released from the docking station (122, 230), whereby the user is connected to the activity retention system (250), directing the user, connected to the activity retention system (250), into the activity area (108) such that the user moves along the pathway system (106) away from the docking station (230), whereby the user leaves the staging area (110) and enters the activity area (108) through the one or more access points (116, 118) of the access barrier (112), and directing the user, exiting the activity area (108) back into the staging area (110), to engage the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220) coupled thereto with the docking station (122, 230), and to operate the docking station (122, 230)such that the ARS connector (220) is uncoupled from the harness connector (210) and securely retained in the docking station (122, 230), whereby the user is disconnected from the activity retention system (250).

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the connection system (200) is a connection system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 24.

34. The method of claim 32 or 33, wherein the recreational facility (100) is a recreational facility (100) according to any one of claims 25 to 31.

35. The method of any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein the activity retention system (250) is a first activity retention system (250), the ARS connector (220) is a first ARS connector (220), and the docking station (122, 230) in the staging area (110) is a first docking station (122, 230), the method further comprising: providing, in the activity area (108), a second ARS connector (222) attached to a second activity retention system (252), and a second docking station (126, 230) therefor, and directing the user, traversing the pathway system (106) in the activity area (108), to engage the harness connector (210) and the first ARS connector (220) coupled thereto with the second docking station (126, 230) having the second ARS connector (222) securely retained therein, and to operate the second docking station (126, 230) such that the first ARS connector (220) is uncoupled from the harness connector (210) and the second ARS connector (222) is coupled to the harness connector (210), with the first ARS connector (220) being securely retained in the second docking station (126, 230) and the second ARS connector (222) being released from the second docking station (126, 230), whereby the user is disconnected from the first activity retention system (250) and connected to the second activity retention system (250).

36. A method of connecting a user harness (20) to, and disconnecting the user harness (20) from, an activity retention system (250) of one or more recreational attractions (10, 102), with a connection system (200) according to any one of claims 1 to 24, the method comprising:connecting the user harness (20) to the activity retention system (250) via the connection system (200) by: interfacing the harness connector (210), which is attached to the user harness (20), with the dock guide (504) of the docking station (230) in the default position (P1), when the ARS connector (220), which is attached to the activity retention system (250), is held in the docking station (230), whereby the dock guide lock (506) switches from the locked state (L3) to the unlocked state (U3), moving the harness connector (210) from the default position (P1) forward into the transfer position (P2), whereby the ARS connector lock (304) of the harness connector (210) switches from the locked state (L1) to the unlocked state (U1), moving, in the transfer position (P2), the ARS connector (220) from the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230) to the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210), moving the harness connector (210) with the ARS connector (220) from the transfer position (P2) back into the default position (P1), whereby the ARS connector lock (304) switches from the unlocked state (U1) to the locked state (L1) between the transfer position (P2) and the default position (P1), thereby coupling the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220), and removing, in the default position (P1), the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220) coupled thereto from the docking station (230), whereby the dock guide lock (506) switches from the unlocked state (U3) to the locked state (L3); and disconnecting the user harness (20) from the activity retention system (250) via the connection system (200) by: interfacing the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220) coupled thereto with the dock guide (504) of the docking station (230) in the default position (P1), whereby the dock guide lock (506) switches from the locked state (L3) to the unlocked state (U3), moving the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220) coupled thereto from the default position (P1) forward into the transfer position (P2), whereby the ARS connector lock (304) switches from the locked state (L1) to the unlocked state (U1) between the default position (P1) and the transfer position (P2), thereby uncoupling the harness connector (210) and the ARS connector (220),moving, in the transfer position (P2), the ARS connector (220) from the interlock structure (320) of the harness connector (210) to the retainer bar (510) of the docking station (230), moving the harness connector (210) from the transfer position (P2) back into the default position (P1), whereby the ARS connector (220) remains on the retainer bar (510) in the transfer position (P2), and removing, in the default position (P1), the harness connector (210) from the docking station (230), whereby the dock guide lock (506) switches from the unlocked state (U3) to the locked state (L3), thereby securely retaining the ARS connector (220) in the docking station (230).

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