Zipline braking system

Abstract

A zipline braking system comprising a zipline cable and a destination supporting member; a rider carrier coupled to the zipline cable for movement towards the destination supporting member, such movement generating kinetic energy; a damper having a posterior end and an anterior end and connected to the destination supporting member at the posterior end; a tension line; a connection member coupled to the zipline cable and configured to engage the rider carrier; a stopping member coupled to the zipline cable and the tension line; and the tension line for transferring the kinetic energy to the damper upon the connection member engaging the stopping member in movement to the destination supporting member.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A zipline braking system comprising:
 a zipline cable and a destination supporting member;   a rider carrier coupled to the zipline cable for movement towards the destination supporting member, such movement generating kinetic energy;   a damper connected to the destination supporting member;   a tension line;   a connection member coupled to the zipline cable and configured to engage the rider carrier;   a stopping member coupled to the zipline cable and the tension line; and   the tension line for transferring the kinetic energy to the damper upon the connection member engaging the stopping member in movement to the destination supporting member.   
     
     
         2 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection member engages the rider carrier and the primary stopping member using similar means for engagement. 
     
     
         3 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 2 , wherein the means for engagement is a claw mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier and a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, wherein the first claw mechanism or the second claw mechanism or both transition from an open configuration to a closed configuration due to gravity. 
     
     
         5 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier, said first claw mechanism includes a biasing member configured to bias the first claw mechanism into a closed or engaged configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, said second claw mechanism includes a biasing member configured to bias the second claw mechanism into a closed or engaged configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier, said first claw mechanism is retained in a closed configuration, wherein upon contact with the rider carrier the first claw mechanism transitions from the closed configuration to an open configuration and subsequently back to the closed configuration thereby engaging the rider carrier. 
     
     
         8 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, said second claw mechanism is retained in a closed configuration, wherein upon contact with the primary stopping member the second claw mechanism transitions from the closed configuration to an open configuration and subsequently back to the closed configuration thereby engaging the primary stopping member. 
     
     
         9 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier, said first claw mechanism is retained in an open configuration, wherein upon contact with the rider carrier the first claw mechanism transitions to a closed configuration thereby engaging the rider carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, said second claw mechanism is retained in an open configuration, wherein upon contact with the primary stopping member the second claw mechanism transitions to a closed configuration thereby engaging the primary stopping member. 
     
     
         11 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection member further includes one or more bumpers configured to contact the rider carrier or the primary stopping member or both. 
     
     
         12 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection member engages the rider carrier using a latch engagement system or a claw engagement mechanism or a magnetic engagement system or a Velco™ type engagement system. 
     
     
         13 . The zipline braking system according to  claim 1 , wherein the connection member engages the primary stopping member using a latch engagement system or a claw engagement mechanism or a magnetic engagement system or a Velco™ type engagement system. 
     
     
         14 . A method for decelerating a rider carrier travelling towards a destination supporting member along a zipline, the destination supporting member having a damper, the method comprising:
 providing a connection member coupled to the zipline cable;   providing a stopping member coupled to the zipline cable and a tension line; and   transferring kinetic energy of the rider carrier to the damper with the tension line upon engagement of the rider carrier with the connection member and engagement of the connection member with the stopping member.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier and a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, wherein transitioning the first claw mechanism or the second claw mechanism or both from an open configuration to a closed configuration is enabled by gravity. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier, wherein transitioning the first claw mechanism from an open configuration to a closed configuration is enabled by a biasing member. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, wherein transitioning the second claw mechanism from an open configuration to a closed configuration is enabled by a biasing member. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a first claw mechanism engages the connection member with the rider carrier, wherein the method further comprises retaining the first claw mechanism in an open configuration and transitioning the first claw mechanism transitioning from the open configuration to a closed configuration upon contact with the rider carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a second claw mechanism engages the connection member with the primary stopping member, wherein the method further comprises retaining the second claw mechanism in an open configuration and transitioning the second claw mechanism transitioning from the open configuration to a closed configuration upon contact with the stopping member.