Deployable slackline

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11766583-B2
Application number	US-202217930903-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 9, 2022
Priority date	Sep 10, 2021
Publication date	Sep 26, 2023
Grant date	Sep 26, 2023

Abstract

Deployable slackline systems are disclosed which can support a slackline at a desired height and nominal tension. The disclosed systems may maintain one or more slacklines and can adjust height and tension of individual slacklines while the slacklines are in use. The disclosed slackline systems are stowable; tensioning and termination assemblies of the slackline system can each fold into a compact housing having a height substantially less than a vertical range of motion of the slackline. The disclosed slackline systems can be implemented in aquatic or non-aquatic performance environments such as on cruise ships or other hospitality settings.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A deployable system, walking, running, balancing, jumping, or tricklining on a slackline, the system comprising:
a tensioning assembly comprising:
a tensioning assembly post having a distal end configured to support a first end of a suspended portion of the slackline; and
a first actuator configured to move the tensioning assembly post to adjust a height of the distal end of the tensioning assembly post;
a termination assembly comprising:
a termination assembly post having a distal end configured to support a second end of the suspended portion of the slackline opposite the first end; and
a second actuator configured to move the termination assembly post to adjust a height of the distal end of the termination assembly post; and
control circuitry in communication with the first actuator and the second actuator, the control circuitry configured to cause movement of the tensioning assembly post and the termination assembly post in synchronization to selectively raise and lower the suspended portion of the slackline while maintaining a nominal tension on the suspended portion of the slackline.

2 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly further comprises a tensioning motor coupled to the tensioning assembly post, the tensioning motor configured to rotate a slackline spool to selectively take in and let out the slackline to adjust the nominal tension of the suspended portion of the slackline.

3 . The deployable system of claim 2 , wherein the distal end of the tensioning assembly post comprises an end roller that supports the first end of the suspended portion of the slackline, and wherein the slackline extends from the slackline spool around the end roller to the termination assembly post.

4 . The deployable system of claim 2 , wherein the suspended portion of the slackline spans at least a portion of a pool and wherein, when the deployable slackline is in a stowed configuration, the tensioning motor is configured to let out a length of slackline such that the suspended portion of the slackline is disposed below a water level of the pool.

5 . The deployable system of claim 2 , further comprising a secondary brake configured to stop rotation of the slackline spool in response to a failure of the tensioning motor.

6 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the termination assembly post comprises a termination pin connected directly or indirectly to the second end of the suspended portion of the slackline.

7 . The deployable system of claim 6 , wherein the termination pin comprises a sensor in communication with the control circuitry and configured to measure a current tension of the suspended portion of the slackline.

8 . The deployable system of claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to adjust the nominal tension of the suspended portion of the slackline based at least in part on tension measurements received from the sensor.

9 . The deployable system of claim 7 , wherein the control circuitry is further configured to selectively allow the current tension to exceed the nominal tension without adjustment while the slackline is in use.

10 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tensioning assembly and the termination assembly comprises a float sensor in communication with the processing circuitry and configured to send a signal to the processing circuitry when the float sensor is at least partially submerged in a liquid, wherein the signal causes the processing circuitry to inhibit operation of at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator.

11 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tensioning assembly and the termination assembly comprises a housing having a lid comprising a walking surface thereon.

12 . The deployable system of claim 11 , wherein the lid is contiguous with a surrounding static walking surface when the deployable system is in a stowed configuration.

13 . The deployable system of claim 11 , wherein the lid is a termination assembly lid fixedly coupled to the termination assembly post.

14 . The deployable system of claim 13 , wherein the termination assembly lid at least partially shields the termination assembly post from contact while the termination assembly is in a deployed configuration.

15 . The deployable system of claim 11 , wherein the walking surface comprises a rubberized or textured walking surface.

16 . The deployable system of claim 1 , further comprising a second tensioning assembly and a second termination assembly supporting a second slackline, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to independently adjust heights of the slackline and the second slackline.

17 . The deployable system of claim 1 , further comprising a user control device in communication with the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to selectively raise and lower the suspended portion of the slackline in response to user inputs received at the user control device.

18 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly post is connected to the first actuator by a first mechanical linkage and wherein the termination assembly post is connected to the second actuator by a second mechanical linkage, the first and second actuators being configured to move the tensioning assembly post and the termination assembly post in parallel motion.

19 . The deployable system of claim 18 , wherein the first and second actuators are linear actuators, and wherein the parallel motion of the tensioning assembly post and the termination assembly post comprises a combination of linear and rotational motion.

20 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein the termination assembly further comprises a housing that encloses the termination assembly post while the termination assembly is in a stowed configuration, and wherein the housing has a height smaller than a maximum vertical range of motion of the distal end of the termination assembly post.

21 . The deployable system of claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly further comprises a housing that encloses the tensioning assembly post while the tensioning assembly is in a stowed configuration, and wherein the housing has a height smaller than a maximum vertical range of motion of the distal end of the tensioning assembly post.

Assignees

• Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd

Inventors

• Weir Nicholas
• Michelman Steven
• Cook Zachary
• Champelli Joseph William

Classifications

• A63B24/00

  Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; {Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances} · CPC title

• A63B2220/833

  Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement · CPC title

• A63B2220/70

  Measuring or simulating ambient conditions, e.g. weather, terrain or surface conditions · CPC title

• A63B2220/51

  Force · CPC title

• A63B2225/09

  Adjustable dimensions · CPC title