Cable-traversing trolley adapted for use with impact braking

Abstract

Described herein are various embodiments of trolleys usable for traversing cables such as zip lines. Various embodiments have been particularly adapted to perform better under different circumstances or in different applications using braking including impact braking.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A trolley for traversing a zip line, the trolley comprising:
 a first side plate;   a second side plate;   a forward sheave rotatable mounted between the first side plate and the second side plate about a forward axis;   a rearward sheave rotatably mounted between the first side plate and the second side plate about a rearward axis, wherein the rearward sheave and the forward sheave are equal-distance to a centerline of the trolley, wherein the first side plate is spaced apart from the second side plate such that a bottom gap is defined in the trolley beneath the forward sheave and the rearward sheave, and wherein the bottom gap extends along an entire length of the trolley, the zip line being receivable through the bottom gap to install the trolley on the zip line; and   a single anchor point defined in at least one of the first side plate and the second side plate for attaching a rider, wherein the anchor point is positioned between the forward axis and the centerline, and below the zip line when the trolley is installed, wherein the trolley is devoid of another anchor point below the zip line when the trolley is installed, and wherein the anchor point is sized to receive a carabiner therethrough.   
     
     
         22 . The trolley of  claim 21 , wherein the anchor point is directly below at least a portion of the forward sheave. 
     
     
         23 . The trolley of  claim 21 , wherein at least a portion of the anchor point is directly below the forward sheave. 
     
     
         24 . The trolley of  claim 23 , wherein the anchor point comprises a center point, and wherein the center point is directly below the forward sheave. 
     
     
         25 . The trolley of  claim 21 , wherein the anchor point is formed as a substantially circular aperture. 
     
     
         26 . The trolley of  claim 25 , wherein the aperture comprises a first diameter and the forward sheave comprises a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is less than the second diameter. 
     
     
         27 . The trolley of  claim 21 , wherein the anchor point is defined in both of the first side plate and the second side plate. 
     
     
         28 . The trolley of  claim 27 , wherein the first side plate is substantially parallel to the second side plate proximate the anchor point. 
     
     
         29 . The trolley of  claim 21 , further comprising an impact surface extending between the first side plate and the second side plate, and forward of the forwards sheave. 
     
     
         30 . The trolley of  claim 29 , wherein the impact surface is substantially perpendicular to the zip line when the trolley is installed. 
     
     
         31 . The trolley of  claim 21 , wherein the trolley further comprises at least one hook on an upper surface of the trolley and/or at least one trolley anchor point defined in the first side pate and the second side plate. 
     
     
         32 . A trolley for traversing a zip line in a first direction, the trolley comprising:
 a first load-bearing sheave rotatably mounted between two side plates at a first axis;   a second load-bearing sheave rotatably mounted between the two side plates at a second axis and rearward of the first sheave relative to the first direction, wherein a center of the trolley is defined at a mid-line between the second axis and the first axis, and wherein a bottom gap is defined between the two side plates and beneath the first load-bearing sheave and the second load-bearing sheave such that the bottom gap is open opposite the first load-bearing sheave and the second load-bearing sheave while extending a length of the trolley, the zip line being receivable through the bottom gap to install the trolley on the zip line; and   a single anchor point on the trolley for attaching a payload, wherein the single anchor point is formed as an aperture defined at least partially within each of the two side plates and below the zip line when the trolley is installed, and wherein the single anchor point is located forward of the center of the trolley relative to the first direction and rearward of the first axis relative to the first direction so that weight of the payload is predominantly borne by the first load-bearing sheave from the single anchor point.   
     
     
         33 . The trolley of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one hook on an upper surface of the trolley. 
     
     
         34 . The trolley of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one hook is adapted to connect to a launch mechanism. 
     
     
         35 . The trolley of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one hook is located rearward of the second load-bearing sheave relative to the first direction. 
     
     
         36 . The trolley of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one impact surface on the trolley between the two side plates and forward of the first load-bearing sheave relative to the first direction, wherein the at least one impact surface is adapted to impact a brake when traveling in the first direction. 
     
     
         37 . The trolley of  claim 32 , further comprising a catch on an upper surface of the trolley and located forward of the first load-bearing sheave relative to the first direction, wherein the catch is adapted to engage a brake when the trolley is decelerating. 
     
     
         38 . The trolley of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one trolley anchor point defined in the two side plates between the first load-bearing sheave and the second load-bearing sheave and above the zip line when the trolley is installed. 
     
     
         39 . A zip line system comprising:
 a zip line;   a brake disposed towards an end of the zip line; and   a trolley configured to traverse along the zip line under gravity and decelerate by impacting the brake, wherein the trolley comprises:
 two side plates; 
 a forward sheave rotatably mounted between the two side plates; 
 a rearward sheave rotatably mounted between the two side plates; and 
 a single anchor point defined in the two side plates for attaching a payload, wherein the anchor point is positioned at least partially beneath the forward sheave and below the zip line when the trolley is installed such that more payload weight is distributed towards the forward sheave, and wherein as the trolley impacts the brake and decelerates, momentum forces acting on the payload generate a downward load on the forward sheave and prevent the forward sheave from disengaging the zip line. 
   
     
     
         40 . The zip line system of  claim 39 , wherein the single anchor point comprises corresponding apertures defined in each side plate, and wherein the apertures are shaped to receive a portion of a carabiner coupling the payload to the trolley.