Ricky braking system for zipline riders

This application is a continuation-in-part of, is related to and claims the benefit of the earliest available effective filing date(s) from the following listed application(s): Non-provisional application filed by Richard Barrett Buckman, on Jun. 26, 2008, application Ser. No. 12/215,061 entitled: “Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders”; and Provisional Application filed by Richard Barrett Buckman, on Aug. 22, 2007, Application No. 60/965,571, entitled: “Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders”, of which application Ser. No. 12/215,061 recognizes that Applicant claimed priority.

The invention includes but is not limited to moving load braking methods and systems.

Non-provisional application filed by Richard Barrett Buckman, on Jun. 26, 2008, application Ser. No. 12/215,061 entitled “Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders” stated the following:

Ziplines were originally invented for biologists and researchers to study tree canopies in Costa Rica. Today “Canopy Tours” consisting of one or more ziplines have transcended their utilitarian status and are now being implemented worldwide as a recreational activity in camps and adventure parks.

A zipline is a heavy cable stretched between two anchors such as trees. An incline is created by securing the start end higher than the finish end. A carriage or trolley is attached to start end of the cable and gravity brings the zip rider down the cable. The problem with ziplines is that the rider can travel at high speeds down the cable and must come to a complete stop before reaching the end or suffer injury. Currently available braking or speed controlling methods are problematic or unsafe. Many zipline courses or canopy tours use leather gloves to grab the cable, thus providing friction and slowing down the rider. This is unsafe for many reasons. Gloves can tear or heat up causing the rider to let go of the cable and thus running into the tree at the end of the cable and suffering injury. Other courses employ stop blocks at the ends of their zipline cables. These often lead to an abrupt stop to the ride and can also cause injury.

I have invented a mechanism which brings riders to a gradual stop at the end of their ride. My invention will vastly improve safety and comfort to ziplines and canopy tours.

The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a dual cable zipline braking system that utilizes pulleys and counterweights to safely bring the rider to a gradual and complete stop. The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a braking method superior to all others in that it is safer and more comfortable while also allowing riders to travel at full speed for the majority of their descent down the cable before bringing them to a gradual and complete stop at the end of their ride.

The Ricky Braking System is a method of controlling and ultimately stopping a rider\'s descent down a zipline. A zipline is created by tensioning a cable between two fixed anchors such as trees. The zipline cable and attachment methods must adhere to ACCT standards. For the Ricky Braking System use a minimum of 7×19⅜ inch galvanized aircraft cable for both the riding and braking cable. To create the anchor on the braking cable one needs to install a ½″ or better quick link on the braking cable 70 to 75% of the way down the cable. The quick link should be sandwiched by washers and held secure by a minimum of two fist grip clamps in front of the washers. The quick link holds a steel pulley with a minimum braking strength of 10000 lbs. complete with backup. Through this pulley a NFPA certified rope is routed down to an identical pulley which is attached to the riding cable. The other end of the rope leaves the anchor and goes to the finish platform. The rope is run through a quick link which is attached to the tree between the termination points of the riding and braking cables. From the quick link the rope is run down through the platform and secured to the counterweights. The counterweights should be heavy enough to keep tension on the rope to prevent knots but light enough as to not prevent your lightest rider from making it to the end of the zip. A guide working the end of the zip can apply friction to the moving rope by using gloved hands and lightly gripping the rope to slow heavier riders.

The zip rider begins his descent down the zip, riding freely the first ⅔rds of the way. Upon hitting the braking pulley with his zip trolley, the rider pushes the braking pulley with his zip trolley for the remaining distance down the zip. Pushing the braking pulley causes it to pull the rope through the braking pulley attached to the braking cable above. This causes the rope to pull the counterweights up and slow the rider.

The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a new method of braking and controlling rider\'s speed on ziplines. The Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders is a dual cable zipline design that utilizes pulleys and counterweights to safely bring the rider to a complete stop. Because the rider is not required to use an active braking method, such as leather gloves rubbed on the cable to provide friction, and the rider is not brought to an abrupt stop such as ziplines using stop blocks, my invention improves safety and comfort of zipline riders.

Applicant\'s Provisional Application filed by Richard Barrett Buckman, on Aug. 22, 2007, Application No. 60/965,571, entitled: “Ricky Braking System for Zipline Riders”, stated the following: