Load-minimizing, trolley arrester apparatus and method

Abstract

A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and net downhill acceleration of the trolley. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. At the downhill end of the ride, the lever actuating the brake is caught and lifted by a capture ring, thus relieving the braking load on the trolley. Also, the trolley engages a comparatively modest, second resistance mechanism, such as, for example, a system of springs, that gradually increases in resistance with distance of motion of the trolley thereagainst, bringing the trolley to a gradual halt.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 selecting a system comprising
 first and second supports defining a path, the first support being higher than the second support, 
 a seat sized to support the weight of a user, 
 the seat connectable between the first and second supports to travel along the path between the first and second supports, 
 a start area proximate one of the first and second supports, 
 a finish area proximate the other of the first and second supports, and 
 the start area, further sized and shaped to position a human in the seat as the user; 
   positioning the seat in the start area;   loading the user into the seat;   traveling, by the seat, toward the finish area; and   returning the seat to the start area by changing the direction of motion of the seat toward the start area;   wherein the seat is suspended from a trolley coasting downward when moving toward the second support.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing a retrieval line;   connecting the seat to the retrieval line; and   returning the seat to the start area by drawing with the retrieval line.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising returning the seat to the start area by changing the direction of motion of the retrieval line. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing a retrieval line;   connecting the seat to be drawn by the retrieval line; and   drawing the seat, by the retrieval line, toward at least one of the start area and finish area.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 providing a retrieval line;   connecting the seat to the retrieval line;   drawing the seat, by the retrieval line, toward the first support; and   releasing the seat to travel toward the second support.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the finish area is located proximate the second support. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the start area is located proximate the first support. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the start area and finish area are located at opposite ends of the path. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the start area and finish area are located opposite one another with respect to proximity to the first and second locations. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is selectively separable from the path between the first and second supports. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is constrained to travel along the path during at least one of travel toward the start area and travel toward the finish area. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is constrained to travel along the path during travel toward the start area and travel toward the finish area. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is motivated by gravity to move toward at least one of the start area and the finish area. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is moved under the influence of non-gravitational, motive power toward at least one of the start area and the finish area. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the seat is moved under the influence of non-gravitational, motive power toward only one of the start area and the finish area. 
     
     
         36 . A method comprising:
 selecting a system comprising
 first and second supports defining a path, the first support being higher than the second support, 
 a trolley, 
 a connector sized and shaped to support a seat sized to support the weight of a user, 
 the trolley connectable between the first and second supports to travel along the path between the first and second supports, 
 a start area proximate one of the first and second supports, 
 a finish area proximate the other of the first and second supports, and 
 the start area, further sized and shaped to position a human in the seat as the user; 
   positioning the trolley proximate one of the start area and the finish area;   loading the trolley by suspending therefrom at least one of the user and the seat;   traveling, by the seat, toward the other of the start area and the finish area;   returning, by the trolley; and   wherein the seat is suspended and coasting downward when moving toward the second support.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , further comprising releasing the seat to travel toward the finish area. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising providing a retrieval line suspended to extend between proximate the start area and proximate the finish area. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , further comprising:
 supporting the trolley continuously from a location proximate at least one of the first and second supports to a location proximate the other thereof;   providing a retrieval line; and   drawing, by the retrieval line, the trolley toward at least one of the start area and the finish area.   
     
     
         40 . A method comprising:
 selecting a system comprising
 first and second supports defining a path, 
 the first support, further positioned higher than the second support, 
 a start area proximate one of the first and second supports, 
 a finish area proximate the other of the first and second supports, and 
 the start area, further sized and shaped to position a human as a rider to travel from the start area to the finish area; 
   positioning a seat in the start area;   loading the rider into the seat;   traveling, by the seat, toward the finish area; and   returning the seat to the start area suspended from a trolley drawn by a retrieval line.