Continuous safety or belay system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10016634-B2
Application number	US-201414502950-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 30, 2014
Priority date	Sep 30, 2013
Publication date	Jul 10, 2018
Grant date	Jul 10, 2018

Abstract

A bifurcation method and system for a passive continuous belay system that allows for a user to select multiple pathways using intermediate tracks. A main track and the intermediate tracks provide a linear passive continuous belay using an anchor mechanism that is configured to grasp the outside of the structural member track, using rolling elements and/or low-friction sliding. The user may select multiple pathways using intermediate lateral tracks to provide Cartesian movement at designated (e.g., perpendicular) transition or junction points. Desired tracks may be selected by a user via sliding along a support plate or track in a junction box and/or by rotating a portion of the junction box. Amusement attraction activities that include non-harnessed play may be intertwined or located adjacent to activities utilizing harnessed play.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A safety system for coupling a user to an amusement attraction comprising:
a first track;
a second track that is separate from the first track;
a junction box that interfaces with the first track and the second track, the junction box including a transition surface; and
a safety mechanism having a support plate, the safety mechanism configured to couple with the user and travel along the first track, the support plate configured to cooperate with the transition surface of the junction box, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to be moveable between the first track and the second track within the junction box based on the support plate cooperating with the transition surface.

2. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the support plate is configured to slide along the transition surface of the junction box.

3. The safety system of claim 2 wherein:
the safety mechanism further comprises a keyhole defined by the support plate;
the junction box further comprises a support track coupled with the junction box, the support track configured to be received by the keyhole when the safety mechanism is sliding along the transition surface of the junction box.

4. The safety system of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the support plate is coated with a low friction material to facilitate lower friction if sliding along the transition surface of the junction box.

5. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the safety mechanism is configured to slide on an exterior of at least a portion of the first track or the second track.

6. The safety system of claim 5 wherein the safety mechanism further comprising a low friction sleeve coupled with the support plate, the low friction sleeve defining an opening therein for sliding on the exterior of at least the portion of the firs rack or the second track.

7. The safety system of claim 1 wherein the safety mechanism further comprises at least one rotating device, coupled with the support plate, the at least one rotating device configured to rotate on the exterior surface of the first track or the second track.

8. The safety system of claim 7 wherein the safety mechanism includes four wheels coupled with the support plate, each of the four wheels configured to rotate on an exterior surface of the first track or the second track.

9. A safety system for coupling a user to an amusement attraction comprising:
an entrance track;
a first exit track;
a second exit track separate from the first exit track;
a pivoting component coupled with the entrance track, the pivoting component configured to transfer between the first exit track or second exit track for providing a track between the entrance track and the first exit track or the entrance track and the second exit track; and
a sliding safety mechanism configured to surround at least a portion of the entrance track, the first exit track, the second exit track, or the pivoting component for sliding along the entrance track, the first exit track, the second exit track, or the pivoting component.

10. The safety system of claim 9 wherein the sliding safety mechanism includes a low friction sleeve, the low friction sleeve defining an opening therein for surrounding at least the portion of the entrance track, the first exit track, the second exit track, or the pivoting component in order to slide on the exterior of at least the portion of the entrance track, the first exit track, the second exit track, or the pivoting component.

11. The safety system of claim 9 wherein the pivoting component is configured to transfer between the first track or the second track in response to manual initiation by the user traversing the entrance track.

12. The safety system of claim 9 wherein the pivoting component is configured to transfer between the first track or the second track in response to an electric signal.

13. The safety system of claim 9 further comprising:
a keying wall coupled with the entrance track, the first exit track, or the second exit track; and
a notch disposed in the sliding safety mechanism, the notch configured to receive at least a portion of the keying wall.

14. A safety system for coupling a user to an amusement attraction comprising:
a first track;
a second track separate from the first track;
a junction box that interfaces with the first track and the second track, the junction box having a rotating portion containing a support surface; and
a safety mechanism configured to couple with the user and travel along the first track or the second track, an exterior surface of the safety mechanism configured to engage with the support surface of the junction box when the safety mechanism is within the rotating portion of the junction box, wherein the safety mechanism is configured to be moveable between the first track and the second track within the junction box by rotating the rotating portion while the safety mechanism is engaged with the support surface.

15. The safety system of claim 14 wherein the safety mechanism further comprises a wheel, configured to rotate on an exterior surface of the first track or the second track.

16. The safety system of claim 15 wherein the wheel of the safety mechanism only makes contact with the exterior surface of the first track or the second track when the safety mechanism is not within the rotating portion of the junction box.

17. The safety system of claim 16 wherein the safety mechanism is configured to slide on the support surface of the junction box to move from the first track to the second after the wheel loses contact with the exterior surface of the first track and before the wheel makes contact with the exterior surface of the second track.

18. The safety system of claim 14 wherein the safety mechanism further comprises a low friction sleeve defining an opening therein for sliding on at least a portion of an exterior of the first track or the second track.

19. The safety system of claim 14 further comprising a non-harnessed play area of the amusement attraction located adjacent to the first track or the second track such that a user on the first track or the second track may be within a predetermined proximity of a second user in the non-harnessed play area.

Assignees

• Whitewater West Ind Ltd

Inventors

• Weston Mark
• Marinakis Anthony
• Briggs Rick
• Franskowski Hyuma
• Macdougall Greg

Classifications

• A62B35/0081

  Equipment which can travel along the length of a lifeline, e.g. travelers · CPC title

• A62B35/0087

  Arrangements for bypassing lifeline supports without lanyard disconnection · CPC title

• A62B35/0062 Primary

  Rail-form lifelines for permanent installation · CPC title

• A63G21/20

  Slideways with movably suspended cars, or with cars moving on ropes, or the like · CPC title