SWING APPARATUS AND METHOD

BACKGROUND

1. Related Applications

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/431,524, filed June 4, 2019; which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.

62/680,909, filed June 5, 2018; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62/757,577, filed November 8, 2018; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/839,665, filed April 27, 2019, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Patent No. 10,010,798, issued July 3, 2018; U.S. Patent No. 9,669,319, issued June 6, 2017; U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15,605,786, filed May 25, 2017; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/021,625, filed June 28, 2018.

2. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to amusement rides and, more particularly, to novel systems and methods for combining a climbing wall and a swing mechanism.

3. Background Art

Rock climbing is a popular sport that has become more universal as people have become aware of its possibilities, including artificial climbing walls and indoor climbing gyms.

Thrill rides are a staple of a circus, carnival, or theme park, but required safety and skill add trained staff, user instruction, and safety mechanisms. In thrill rides, locks, cages, safety bars, gates, attendants, and the like fix persons in a cart, cage, or other vehicle closely observed and controlled on some arm, track, or other form of support system.

It would be an advance in the art to provide a system that combines a climbing wall, engineered to the purpose, with support for a pendulum fall on a swing acting as a belay system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a wall below a beam supporting an overhead center of suspension. A system combining a climbing wall with a swing may be characterized as a climbing wall that will terminate in a pendulum fall, resulting in a swinging motion of a harnessed user away from the wall and out into space and back until the swinging is decayed, after which the system descends the user to be unclipped from the belay line, and released from the climbing area.

A climber falling, missing a hold, finishing a route, or timing out engages a swing providing additional enjoyment and ready completion of a user’s“trip” on the system. Fun is doubled, safety maintained and increased, and skill and attendant requirements reduced, while permitting those of minimal to highest levels of skill to enjoy the thrill of a pendulum fall and swing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a climbing wall and swing combination;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view thereof;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the frame of a mobile climbing wall and swing system in accordance with the invention, in a fully deployed configuration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view thereof in a fully stowed configuration;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a preparation and launching area for a system in accordance with the invention, using a step and elevated deck above the floor;

Figure 6, including sup parts 6A through 6J illustrate a perspective view of a support system for a climbing wall and swing illustrating alternative support structure arrangements;

Figure 7 is a side elevation view of a distal end of a top beam of a frame in accordance with the invention, illustrating movement of a supporting system for a belay line;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of a takeup or retractor system to move the center of pivot before, after, or both with respect to fall of a user on a belay line swing;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, wherein the carrier is widened and two centers of pivot support two lines supporting a user; Figure 9 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a swing mechanism including a top pulley providing a center of pivot about its axis of rotation and having a line descending therefrom with two options illustrated for connecting to a harness of a climber who will swing away from the wall after climbing it, on the same line that operated as a belay and retractor apparatus to take up slack, also showing a swivel and connection options between the line and a harness;

Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a process for operating a system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 11 is a frontal perspective view of a parallel- swing alternative embodiment with an inset showing a top plan of a cross-swing configuration;

Figure 12 is a side elevation view of a system in accordance with the invention having a curved wall below an upper beam, climber’s safety line automatically retracted, and a tower for vertical support;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a simplified embodiment in which a swing tower and riser assure that a climber can never strike to the ground, and take up is provided by a belayer;

Figure 14 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a frame, overhead beam, and takeup systems for both the belay lines on a climber and moving trolley with a spreader bar and climber suspended in various positions as the trolley moves;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the track and trolley system threaded with lines for trolley movement and belay;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the takeup systems threaded with the takeup lines for belay and trolley movement;

Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the user path in a system in accordance with the invention including a climb, fall trajectory, swinging, and returning;

Figure 18 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a process for operating a system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 19 is a schematic block diagram of a generalized system in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 20 is a schematic block diagram of hydraulic control and monitoring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of various embodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the invention. The illustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, while referring generally to Figures 1 through 20, a system 10 may define directions l la, l lb, l lc as, respectively a more-or-less vertical direction l la, a more-or- less horizontal, forward-and-backward direction l lb (transverse direction l lb), and a lateral direction 1 lc (side-to-side), orthogonal to both the former. The system 10 may include a wall 12 styled as a climbing wall 12, typically a substitute for rock climbing on natural rock faces.

The wall 12 may be mounted on a frame 14, optionally styled as an arcuate truss 14 beginning at some lower level l5a (bottom end) and rising to some maximum height at a top end l5b. Overhead, a beam 16 may cantilever from an attached end l7a an upper end of the frame 14. The beam 16 may support a positioner 18 (retractor 18) at an extreme end l7b thereof almost directly over the bottom end l5b of the frame 14.

The positioner 18 may work in any number of ways. It may include various optional mechanisms 18 in order to define a swing 20 device. It may be made up of a motorized, manual, or automated positioner 18. It may include or suspend from a carrier system 21 above a station 22 for preparation of a user 60 or climber 60 (see, e.g., Figures 13, 17).

Typically, the climber 60 may prepare (harness, learn, etc.) at a preparation station 22, then step to a deck 24 or launch area 24. A line 27 connects to the harness 28 on a user 60. This harness 28 provides mechanisms for connecting to the line 27, which, in turn, connects to the positioner 18 on the beam 16. The line 27 operates as a belay line 27 preventing a climber 60 from falling in a harmful way, direction, or distance.

However, this line 27 operates differently from both lead climbing lines, and top roped lines. Instead of suspending directly above a vertical climbing wall 12, the line 27 actually extends from the climber 60 out to the positioner 18. A fall becomes exciting, even thrilling, a pendulum fall, otherwise dangerous, and anathema to conventional climbing.

Thus, a pendulum fall may result in a climber 60 and swinging into rock or another part of the wall. From an overhang, a fall into the wall has devastating impact. A safe pendulum fall is the end result of this invention’s climb, out into space away from the wall. Referring to Figures 1 through 6, while continuing to refer generally to Figures 1 through 20, the wall 12 may be provided with holds 30 of various shapes designed and engineered to provide a resemblance to natural rock formations. The surface 32 may be treated with a paint material, and will typically include a grit, such as sand, or other material suspended in paint applied to the surface 32.

The frame 14 may be formed from stringers 34 spaced some engineered distance apart.

These stringers 34 may be straight, such as in the beam 16, or curved, such as in the frame 14.

Spacing between the stringers 34 is maintained by struts 36, angled at suitable directions.

Meanwhile, end plates 37 may anchor and space apart the stringers 34, and be secured together with fasteners 38. Supports 40 or stabilizers 40 may extend from the frame 14 downward, forming a“three-point base” effectively by providing two supports 40 and a base 42 all secured to and extending above a supporting surface 44.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, one embodiment of the system 10 in accordance with the invention may include a trailer 50 supporting a frame 14 and beam 16. A system of hinges 52 may connect or assemble the frame 14, or even the beam 16.

Stabilizers 40 extend from a clevis 57 to a foot 55 on the supporting surface 44. Each may be a hydraulic cylinder 40.

The trailer 50 may include a frame 58 secured to the base 42, such as a pivot at the back end of the trailer 50. The frame 14 and beam 16 may be divided into segments 64a, 64b, and segment 64c, respectively, hinged together.

Referring to Figure 3, the system 10 is illustrated in a deployed configuration.

Referring to Figure 4, the second segment 64a may be folded about a hinge 52 between itself and the first segment 64b in order to shorten the length of the frame 14 for transport. The third segment 64c may be folded to place the beam 16 at a lower level, greatly reducing the overall profile of the system 10 on the trailer 50.

The system 10 is completely folded up in a stowed position, ready for travel. The trailer 50 may be connected to a towing vehicle, and the system 10 may be relocated for operation elsewhere.

Referring to Figure 5, steps 70 lead from the preparation area 22 to the launch deck 24.

Padding 72 may be provided as a foam pad 72, or as a rubberized or otherwise

elastomerically treated material on a floor 74. In this embodiment, a transition 75 may extend from the launch deck 24 to the wall 12. A space 76 or buffer 76 may exist therebetween, and may be marked with stripes 77 or other mechanisms 77 for warning. An interface 78 styled as a wall 78 or boulder 78 may begin the climbing activity right at the launch area 24. A fence 80 and gate 73 will probably be required for safety.

Referring to Figure 6, a frame 14 may be configured to stand alone or as support for the beam 16.

For example, a crossbeam 90 may be supported on pillars 92 spaced apart a clearance distance for a climber 60 who swings from a center of suspension 100 or center 100. The line 27 will extend to some radius 102, which may be measured to the harness 28 of the rider 60. The positioner 18 may be movable from a first, closer, position during climbing of the wall 12, to a latter and more distant position from the frame 14 and wall 12 following a pendulum fall. The crossbeam 90 may be supported by a yoke 94. A yoke 94 may extend in a single structure. Clearance comes into focus with an arch 96, requiring a much wider arch 96 than a yoke 94 would be. An arch 96 is fundamentally quite stable, having a continuous radius and no corner, as well as a much greater bearing length (distance between the two, anchored, bottom ends).

Various other geometries for the frame 14, and consequently the wall 12, position a center 100 of pivot in line with a center line passing vertically through the frame 14, directly above a launch deck 24.

A frame 14 may be circular. However, this tends to waste much of the lower half of the frame 14 in a shallow portion (nearly horizontal) of the wall 12. The overhang distance 108 may be approximately the vertical height 104 so the radius 102 is about constant.

Nevertheless, certain mechanisms for a positioner 18 may permit a change in the radius 102 by retracting the line 27 or a repositioning of the positioner 18. A parabolic frame 14 has a distance from the pivot center 100 to the floor 74 much greater than the radius 102 from the frame 14. Some mechanism for taking up slack or changing the center of pivot 100, must be employed for a clear, free, pendulum fall.

The frame 14 may be elliptical, with rapid transition from a floor 74 or launch deck 24 into a vertical 1 la portion, then an overhang for“inverted” climbing. Conventional auto belay systems are designed for a person climbing an effectively vertical wall. Such systems are completely inadequate for pendulum falls. They immediately begin descending when loaded (a fall), totally inappropriate, inadequate, and dangerous for swinging.

More complex shapes require sophisticated takeup mechanisms 18 for clearances during swinging. Referring to Figures 7 and 8, different mechanisms may be employed to change location of the positioner 18 to protect a rider 60.

A trolley 110 may operate as a positioner 18 on a rail 112.

An axle 144 through a pulley 146 may operate as an anchor 146. In some embodiments, the pulley 146 may carry a moving line 27 over itself as it rotates about a center 100 of pivot.

The aperture 118 may be in a clevis 116 to receive an axle 144 supporting a pulley 146, or simply receive a link 200, such as a carabiner 200 for supporting a line 27 fixed thereto

embodiments, the movement of the trolley 110 may completely if the line 27 need not be shortened.

In the configurations of Figure 7, a stop 122 fixed with respect to the rail 112 may prevent the trolley 110 from approaching any closer toward the wall 12. Once past the stop 122, a trolley 110 may travel away from the wall 12. The trolley 110 in passing over the latch 120 may depress it against gravity or a spring loaded mechanism to pass by it. Once a climber 60 or rider 60 swings free from the wall 12 on the line 27, the trolley 110 is free to move away from the stop 122, under the influence of momentum of the climber 60 swinging transversely 1 lb away from the wall 12 toward the rear stop 124, with a constant radius 102.

Referring to Figure 8, a mechanism for moving the center 100 of pivot, may be created by using a ball screw system 130 as a positioner 18. A sufficiently strong and stably supported screw 132 may suffice. Otherwise, a ball screw system 130 may include a nut moving 134 on a rail 112 being driven by the ball screw 132.

The motor 136 may be geared in a transmission 138 in order to specifically control the rotational speed of the screw 132 in moving a nut 134 therealong by a controller 140

programmatically controlling the motor 136. A reversible motor 136 makes a linear actuator out of the nut 134. The hanger 142 or clevis 142 captures a pulley 146 therein, rolling or fixed by a knot 148 or clamp.

Referring to Figure 9, a harness 28, which may include a connecting loop 192 securing to the line 27 near a crossing point of shoulder straps 194 on the body harness 28. Leg loops 196 and shoulder straps 194 typically connect to one another and to a belt 206 by reinforced connections 198, a patch 198 sewn together.

Ultimately, a link 200 may link the harness loop 192 to a permanent link 202 secured to the line 27 over the pulley 162. A pendulum fall is very different, and may be dangerous with a seat harness attachment to the center of mass of the user’s body. A user 60 may be better suspended from higher (front or back of the chest) by a harness loop 192 where the shoulder straps 194 cross each other, in a reinforced connection 198. Thus, the user 60 will maintain orientation with respect to the line 27, as soon as a user 60 falls from the wall 12.

Referring to Figure 9 specifically, one alternative embodiment of a connection to a line 27 may be an auto lock 210 or an automatic take up 210, such as a Grigri™, other ascender, or similar locking device 210. A line 27, 208 may link to such at an auto lock 210 in which the line 27 passes through the auto lock 210, terminating in an outbound line 208, by which a user 60 or operator may take up slack in the incoming line 27. The auto lock 210 operates to lock the loop 192 by the link 214 and link 200 to the line 27. This captures the harness loop 192, removing slack.

A user 60 may be released by a handle 212 controlling friction the outbound line 208.

In the illustrated embodiment, a swivel 216 includes an upper ring 202 on a shaft 217 captured by a head (hidden, not shown) inside a center knuckle 218 (keeper 218) or connector 218 (keeper 218). Likewise, a lower loop 215 connects by a lower shaft 217 similarly captured by a head inside the knuckle 218 (keeper). Each loop 202, 215 may actually be integral with its respective shaft 217, free to rotate in the knuckle 218 (keeper 218), adding a spinning degree of freedom to the motion of a user 60.

Referring to Figure 10, a process 220 for operating a system 10 in accordance with the invention may begin with admitting 222 a climber 60 to a restricted area, harnessing 224, and moving 226 to an active launch zone 24 clip in 228 the harness 28 to the line 27.

Positioning 230 a positioner 18 may require retracting 230 a trolley 110 to locate the positioner 18 with respect to the climber 60 and take up 232 any slack in the line 27.

Sensing 234 may involve one or several sensors 160 of manual, electrical, mechanical, or computer controlled mechanisms detecting positions, loading, and tension in the line 27.

It may be necessary to program a controller 140 to take up slack, or let out slack, depending upon the sensors’ 160 response to shape, length, clearance, other size or shape factors, and the like. The process next tests 236 whether all sensors reflect a proper condition for operation. If not, an emergency check 238 intervenes.

If the test 236 determines a yes condition for operation, an interlock may be opened 240 in order to maintain proper length or take up of the line 27, tension in the line 27, and any other measurement that may be sensed 234 by suitable sensors 160 and communications. Free to climb 242, a user 60 in a full body harness 28 is monitored 244 by sensors 160 for distances, forces, tension, stress, positions, or other measureable parameters may be sensed 234 and monitored 244. Eventually, a test 246 checks time allocated, for whether a climber 60 has stalled out, so a retractor 18 may activate. If not, a test 248 may determine whether the user 60 has topped out, achieved the maximum distance possible. A buzzer, bell, button, or such sensor 234, touched by the user 60, so indicates, converting to swinging the user 60. Otherwise, a test 250 may determine whether the user 60 has fallen. If not, monitoring 244 continues the tests 246, 248, 250, or others.

If any of the tests 246, 248, 250 results in a positive output (timed out, topped out, or fallen), the retractor 18 will typically retract 252, assuring that the user 60 and harness 28 will be pulled away from the wall 12, a suitable distance to prevent impact.

A user 60 will swing 254 downward away from the wall 12, into space, decaying 256 in response to damping, then descend 258 to the launch deck 24 area. Released 260 by unclipping the harness 28 from the line 27, the user 60 exits from the launch area 24, unharnessing in the preparation space 22.

A test 262 determines whether the processes are done, and if so, may end 264 operation of the system 10. Otherwise, the process 220 returns to moving 226 the next climber 60 to the active zone 24.

The emergency check 238 may involve a stop 264, warning lights flashing, by the positioner 18 taking up line 27 or moving its position in order to lift a user 60 away from the wall 12, or otherwise immobilizing a user 60 from beginning to climb 242.

Alternatively, an attendant or operator may intervene, inspecting 266 the harness 28, line 27, connectors 200, 202 as appropriate. A test 268 determines whether a climber 60 is now safe, and if not then makes safe 270 that user 60. Eventually, if the test 272 determines that the user 60 is safe, and returns back to the process 220.

Referring to Figure 11, several alternative systems 10 to support a swing 20, may rely on a horizontal beam 16 parallel to a wall 12 corresponding thereto, or perpendicular. A climber 60, upon falling will swing in a plane perpendicular or parallel, respectively, to the beam 16. A central tower 280 supports each of the beams 16. The inset shows how the path may be perpendicular. Some walls 12 are removed for clarity of the frames 14.

Such a wall or other climbing structure may be served by an overhead beam to swing a user 60 in an arc in a plane (path 281) parallel or perpendicular to a corresponding overhead beam 16. The central tower 280 stiffens and supports the various frames 14, improving cantilever support for beams 16. In contrast, frames 14 and walls 12 remote and independent from the tower 280 are also possible (see inset). The frames 14 may be spaced farther from the tower 280 to accommodate a greater number of overhead beams 16 having less than ninety degrees of angle therebetween.

However, interference between swing paths 281 may militate for larger separation distances.

Cantilevered beams 16 may be provided with counter weights 282 in order to stabilize them about the tower 280 and eliminate part of the torque or the“couple” (a structural term of art meaning a rotating force that might otherwise exist at the connection location of each beam 16 and the tower 280).

In this embodiment, again, the height and length of each overhead beam 16 may be selected according to the height of a particular wall corresponding thereto. The length maintained in each line 27 is thus unique to its overhead beam 16, the length of that beam 16, the height of that beam 16, and the height of the corresponding wall. An auto take up 290 may mount within the frame 14 or behind it in the tower 280.

Referring to Figure 12, guy lines 287 extending from the tower 280 to the beam 16 may support both vertical and lateral loads. If a matching beam 16 were to extend away from the tower 280 in direction collinear or parallel with that of a first beam 16, a guy line 287 thereto would add vertical load to the tower 280 but may neutralize horizontal loads and couples. The pulley 162 may be shifted to match the length of line 27 descending to the height of the wall 12 corresponding thereto. An auto takeup system 290 may take up the line 27 as the climber 60 ascends.

Referring to Figure 13 a tower 280 and overhead beam 16 may be adapted for any climbing structure. The path 291 of a climber 60 may be from ground, up steps 70, incline 70, or riser 70. Climbing structures 12, 14 should not interfere with the swing away from the climbing structures 12, 14. However, a belayer 293, a second person, may actually secure and belay the line 27. Belay devices bear names such as a GRIGRI™, ATC™ (air traffic controller), GRILLON™, SIR™ or the like. In fact, a setup relying strictly on carabiners is also possible. The point is that a frictional control device may be worn on the harness of a belayer 293 who then takes personal responsibility for maintaining a slight tension, simply enough for take up, on the line 27 as a climber 60 ascends the wall 12. Upon falling, the climber 60 is supported by the line 27 and the belayer 293 as in a conventional pendulum fall.

Referring to Figure 14, a system 10 may be configured with a takeup system 290 controlling belay lines 304 that will secure to a ring 192. The belay lines 304 may eventually connect together and a single belay line 294, selectively paying out and taken up by the belay take up 290. The takeup system 292 draws the trolley 110 by a line 296 along the rail 112 supported under the overhead lateral beam 16. Pulleys 298a, 298b, 298c carry the lines 294, 296, 304 of the takeup systems 290, 292.

In general, a user 60 climbs the wall 12 by virtue of texture, holds 30, or other features on the wall 12 allowing the user 60 to maintain a grip by hand, foot, and usually both. In this embodiment, the trolley 110 travels along the rail 112 drawn toward the wall 12 by the trolley take up 292 and urged away therefrom by weight of a user 60 on belay line 304.

Under the trolley 110, belay lines 304 may be a single line 294. For stability of path, the belay line 294 is best configured to split into dual belay lines 304. The path for the takeup lines 294, 304, 296 is over a series of pulleys 298 ( e.g ., 298a, 298b, 298c). In the illustrated embodiment, the belay line 294 moves from a take up device 290, controlled by a controller l40a (Fig. 17) accessed by the wires 295, through a spreader 300b to take up slack in the lines 294, 304, and over pulleys 298a to run out parallel to the beam 16, and over twin pulleys 298b.

The double belay lines 304, a spreader bar 300 (yoke 300) maintain orientation of the user 60 rather than permitting a“precess” motion nor swinging side-to-side. The harness 28 is urged to swing perpendicular to a plane of the spreader bar 300. Pulleys 298m on each end of the trolley 110 accommodate each of the belay lines 304 individually.

The trolley takeup line 296 is taken up by a trolley takeup system 292, which may be programmatically controlled by a remote controller through connecting wires 295, thereby operating a motor, hydraulic pump, pistons, pulley blocks and the like as necessary in the take up system 292. In general, the takeup devices 290, 292 may be“block-and-tackle” types of mechanisms with multiple pulleys and multiple reevings of the respective lines 294, 296 around individual pulleys 298 assembled as blocks 306 of pulleys 298 separated by a hydraulic ram to provide multiple lengths 306 of line 294, 296 taken up for length or distance of extension of the hydraulic ram.

Although the trolley 110 may be driven away from the frame 14 along the rail 112 toward the belay pulleys 298b, the weight of a user 60 suspended by the belay lines 304 passing over the end pulleys 298m will urge the trolley 110 away from the wall 12 as the climber 60 falls.

The trolley 110 may move forward, drawn by the trolley takeup system 292 and line 296 toward the intersection of the frame 14 and the rail 112, under its supporting beam 16. The belay lines 304 extend virtually vertically from the trolley 110 locked there or nearby until a fall is permitted. The belay takeup 290 is controlled to draw the line 294, and belay lines 304, taking in or letting out slack as needed as the climber 60 advances upward. If the wall 12 and frame 14 are vertical, the trolley 110 is locked“at” or near the frame l4-to-beam 16 junction during the entire climb.

When the climber 60 falls, leaps, or otherwise releases his or her grip on the wall 12 at the top, the trolley 110 may carry pulleys 298m slightly farther from the wall 12 and lock.

Release of the trolley 110 to move freely away (left, in illustration) from the wall 12 and frame 14 may be manual or automatic, triggered by the climber 60, an operator, a timer, a limit switch, or other programmed controller. Once free to roll the trolley 110 responds to the force vector outward away from the frame 14 and along the rail 112.

The fall of the user 60 is not straight down, nor is it a pure swing. It is a swinging motion about a moving center of suspension 100 of the pulleys 298m, moving (left) with the trolley 110.

A system 10 may operate with a vertical wall 12 supported by a vertical frame 14, or retrofitted onto any wall 12.

A fall prior to completing the climb may result in a sensor 160 detecting the fall and the takeup system 290 lifting the user 60 to the top of the“route” (wall 12). This motion assures that the release of the trolley 110 and consequent swinging fall will always initiate in the same place. A non climber may even be so lifted from a floor 44 or ground to swing this way.

The system 10 illustrated typically operates by a user 60 in a harness 28 connecting to the belay line 304 by the chest ring 192 through the linkages ( e.g ., 200, 210, 216, etc.) and components discussed in detail hereinabove.

The user 60 may or may not need to advance toward the wall 12 and frame 14. If so, the trolley 110 responds by the takeup 292 drawing the line 296 across the pulley 298c and the trolley 110 toward the frame 14. The belay takeup 290 may monitor and take up the belay lines 294, 304, but the takeups 290, 292 need not ever move simultaneously. The user 60 may be free to walk along the supporting surface toward the frame 14 and wall 12. Eventually, the trolley 110 arrives at the wall 12 at a close but suitably safe distance.

At this point, the trolley takeup 292 may be locked off or stopped because the trolley 110 will stay at that location as the climber 60 ascends, belayed by the takeup 290 taking up slack in the lines 294, 304.

At the top of a climb, the trolley 110 is fixed, and the belay lines 304 have been continually taken up. In this position, the climber 60 is safe, and cannot fall. The user 60 may thus approach the top of the climb, fall with the trolley 110 retreating, and move in the arc at the bottom dead center of the swinging motion. The user 60 is now accommodated in motion by control of the trolley 110 alone, moving outward from the wall along the rail 112. This lets out the belay lines 304, which are only later taken up as necessary.

Even if a climber 60 does fall, having not fully ascended, the system 290 may immediately draw the climber 60 upward at a modest (safe, comfortable) speed.

Upon triggering by a timer, user weight, fall detection, operator control, programmed computer control, or the like, the trolley 110 is released from its position close to the frame 14 with belay lines 304 stopped by the takeup 290. The trolley takeup 292 releases freely the line 296, thereby permitting the trolley 110 to move to the left. The speed of that movement may be controlled or left to be determined by momentum and energy transfer of the fall.

Consequently, as the user 60 falls, the belay takeup 290 holds fixed the lines 294, 304. The center of suspension 100 (the pulleys 298m) move left as the climber 60 falls downward and leftward toward and past the trolley 110 stopped at its extreme position, to swing tangent to, then into, a circular arc whose radius is the lines 304.

A person incapable, unwilling, or unable to climb may harness up and elevate by the lines 304 from the takeup 290 toward a trolley 110 stopped on the rail 112.

After elevating the user 60, the belay lines 294, 304 may halt, locked by the takeup 290.

Upon release of the trolley 110, it retreats, the lines 304 pass over it supporting the fall, yielding a thrill ride with no climbing required.

Referring to Figures 15 and 16, a building 303 or other structure 303 may support a system 10. For example, a rail 16 may support or even be integrated with a track 112 secured to a super structure 303 with rafters 303a, purlins 303b, various supports 303c, and reinforcing struts 303d.

The trolley 110 carrying sheaves 298m rolls along the track 112 drawn by the line 296 and urged away from the wall 12 by the weight of a user 60 suspended therefrom. The pulleys 298a, 298m guide the lines 304 from the spreader 300b, along the rail 112, back to the trolley 110, and down over the trolley 110, respectively.

The trolley 110 will respond to the force vector of the lines 304 passing over the pulleys 298m to urge the trolley 110 toward the pulleys 298b. On the other hand, the trolley 110 is restrained by the line 296 from the trolley takeup system 292, over the trolley control pulley 298c. The rate of travel of the trolley may be programmatically controlled or determined by acceleration of the trolley 110 and line 294 in response to the momentum of the climber 60. Following each of the takeup lines 294, 296, 304 from their origins, structures are threaded with the lines 294, 296, and 304 drawn by of a takeup system 290, 292 may be implemented in a either reels, capstans, telescoping hydraulics, block and tackle, a combination or the like. In this particular illustrated embodiment, the takeup systems 290, 292 are a block-and-tackle type. For example, a block 306a or 306c (specific instance of any block 306) is fixed to a pillar 308 rising from an operating surface 32 supporting a base 310 providing mechanical stability and support. The fixed blocks 306a, 306c are fixed to the pillars 308.

The movable blocks 306b, 306d are movable vertically by hydraulics 312 to extend and retract the lines 294, 296, respectively. When the lines 294, 296 are threaded around the sets of pulleys 298h, 298i, 298j, and 298k, through the blocks 306a, 306b and 306c, 306d, respectively, a “leverage and distance multiplier” equal to the number of pulleys in each matched pair of blocks 306 results in the lines 294, 296.

A system of pulleys 298 includes a pulley 298d carrying the line 294 from the belay takeup system 290 through the pulley 298e to eventually draw through the spreader 300b on the double lines 304. Likewise, the pulleys (sheaves) 298f and 298g direct the trolley takeup line 296, from the sheaves 298j, down, horizontally out, under the pulley 298f and up to the sheaves 298c and trolley 110.

Each of these lines 292, 294 is threaded around its pulleys 298h, 298i and pulleys 298j, 298k in respective blocks 306a, 306b and blocks 306c, 306d, respectively. Each block 306 holds multiple sheaves 298 or pulleys 298 according to the multiplier effect desired. The end or terminus of each line 292, 294 is anchored to a fixed point, passed down and up multiple times around its sheaves 298, and ultimately redirected down to its respective guide pulleys 298e, 298g.

For example, a pair of blocks 306 that each carry five sheaves 298 will provide a multiplier of line 294, 296 ten times the relative displacement between the blocks 306. The force advantage of a user 60against the system 290, 292 is likewise a ratio of 10:1.

The relative leverage of force or motion between blocks 306 may be designed for any multiplication factor (ratio) desired. The number of sheaves 298 between the blocks 306a, 306b need not be the same as that number for the blocks 306c, 306d.

Alternative embodiments for the takeup systems 290, 292 need not be the same as each other. For example, a motor, possibly on a transmission, may wind a line 294, 296 onto a reel or capstan. An eddy current brake may resist release of the collected line 294, 296 therein. However, it has been found effective to use hydraulic systems 3l2a, 3l2b for compact powerful drives capable of releasing and retrieving the lines 294, 296 rapidly, in fact, as fast as a user 60 can transfer momentum enough to fall.

Referring to Figure 17, a harnessed climber 60 or rider 60 may follow a path 320 in parts.

The controller l40a for the belay takeup 290, and a controller l40b for the trolley takeup 292 may be programmatically controlled by a computer to provide multiple modes of operation.

For example, during climbing, a climber 60 is belayed on the sling 314 under the spreader 300 connected to the lines 304, with slack being taken up by the belay takeup system 290.

Typically, programming provides a slight tension (force of a few pounds or kilograms) in the lines 304. Tension may be sensed by a typical sensor l60a, l60b against a line 294, 296, 304. Position may be sensed at a block 306b, 306d.

As the climber 60 scales the wall 12 along a path segment 320a, the lines 304 are taken up, without discomfort or instability for a climber 60, by the belay takeup system 290. If, at any point, the climber 60 falls, it will simply maintain position as per the controller l40a.

With no fall, the climber 60 may almost reach the trolley 110, striking a button 160 or other sensor 160 telling the controllers l40a, l40b the climb is done. The climber 60 may stall (cease progress) or simply slow too much, timing out short of a target end location.

The controller system 140, meaning either or both of the controllers l40a, l40b, may be so informed by sensors 160, including clocks 160, thus proceeding independently from the others’ intentions.

By any of the foregoing termination modes, a climber 60 may be drawn along a path 320b by operation of the belay take up 290 retrieving in the lines 294, 304, the trolley 110 retreating slightly, or both, to some predetermined distance or position. The belay lines 294, 304 will remain fixed at their lengths, while the controller l40b programmatically makes the system 292 release the line 296 at a rate of freewheeling in response to force (weight) along the path 320c, carefully controlled, or by free fall.

At a tangent point 320d the trajectory 320c intersects a path 320e of swing. For example, in certain embodiments, the entire path 320c may be a swinging pendulum fall 320c. In this embodiment, it is not.

The tangent point 320d may represent a comparatively abrupt change in direction to swing along the arcuate forward path 320e and backward path 320f.

Since the fall path 320c is neither directly vertical nor completely semicircular, but something in between, a change in direction must occur at the tangent point 320d. The controller l40a may be programmed to assure the path 320f will not strike the wall 12, an obstruction, or the underlying surface 32, a direct result of the trolley 110 position. The abruptness may be remediated programmatically by control of the payout rate of the line 296, absorption mechanisms such as a spring 316 or other attenuator 316 to abut or impact directly the trolley at its end-of-stroke position. For example, a hydraulic damper, spring, complex system of springs, catching the trolley 110 releases additional belay line 304, giving a vertical spring effect to the rider 60.

The harness 28 or sling 314 may produce certain spring effects by elasticity of“dynamic line.” Typically, discomfort results above three“g’s” (3xgravitational acceleration). Again, multiple attenuators 316 or springs 316 may actually be applied within the sling 314, harness 28, yokes 300, 300b, trolley 110, track 112, lines 304, takeup 290, 292, or elsewhere in the load path, even in some pulley 298, its mount, or the like along that path.

Swinging along the paths 320e forward and 320f backward may be permitted for some predetermined period before returning to the initial launch deck 24. To attenuate this swing, quickly the controller 140 may move the trolley 110 toward the wall 12 during the back swing path 320f.

For example, the trolley 110 may remain fixed for some time or number of oscillations and then move toward the wall 12 in coordination with travel along the path 320f in a few (2-5) such strokes.

Accordingly, the climber 60 will rise, not remain at the same height of the swing. Thus, force or momentum necessary for oscillation is not recovered from the potential energy of altitude as a result of the change in angle made by the lines 304 with respect to the rail 112, removing momentum or force that would otherwise move the climber 60 toward the path 320e.

Ultimately, the trolley 110 passes along the path 320g, carrying the rider 60 toward the original launch positon 24 whereat the belay controller l40a may programmatically pay out the lines 294, 304 to lower the climber 60 along the path 320h to the surface 32.

The climber 60 or an attendant may secure the sling 314 to a ground tether (anchor) then unclip the harness 28 from the sling 314 below the spreader 300. The climber 60 may exit to an area to remove the harness 28 when safe to do so. Another harnessed climber 60 may approach the wall 12, retrieve the sling 314, and clip in. The belay takeup system 290 may be programmed to pause awaiting an instruction.

Referring to Figure 18, a process 330 in accordance with the invention may begin with an approach 331 by a first harnessed climber 60 walking to a starting position 24 such as the launch deck 24. A user 60 may clip in 332 to the sling 314 by a carabiner, before unclipping 333 it from the ground tether, lest the sling 314 rise out of reach. A safety gate 73 may require opening 334 to actually approach 331, and the trolley 110 may follow 335 or be fixed there. A sensor 160, for example, may detect force applied on the lines 304, thereby engaging the trolley controller l40b to move the trolley 110 toward the wall 12, while coordinating with controller l40a. That is, as a trolley 110 moves toward the wall 12, it will necessarily require additional payout of the lines 304 to maintain the vertical position of a climber 60.

When ready to climb the trolley 110 needs to be locked 336 in place. In this way, the belay take up system 290 acts truly for belay, retracting 337 with a slight bias force, selected for comfort and safety, always applied to the lines 294, 304, 314 during a climb.

Ultimately, the climb will end 338 by any of several mechanisms discussed hereinabove. A test 339 may determine exactly how a climb is ended 338, by touch on a bar, button, panel, or other actuator that will indicate 343 that the climber 60 has finished, timed out, or detected the force of a fall.

A test 340 for intervention may be manual or automatic. If an attendant sees that a climber 60 has stalled 341 (e.g., tired, climbing holds 30 too far apart, too small, unusable, etc.), reached the top of the wall 12 but has not indicated 343 completion by touching an actuator, an idle 342 condition may exist.

Recording 344 the reason for the end 338 may be a principal reason or the only reason for distinguishing how the climb ended 338, since the system 10 may retract 345 the belay lines 304 regardless.

Typically, the trolley 110 will then move away from the wall 12. This will register 346 (position at a known location) the user 60, harness 28, sling 314, and spreader 300 away from the wall 12 and usually above the termination of the climb.

The belay takeup 290 is locked 347, the path 320b having been completed. Now, the climber 60 may fall 349 safely (no risk of contact with the wall 12 or holds 30) upon release 348 of the trolley 110 (line 296) to move along the track 112 away from the wall 12. The overshoot 350 or swinging 350 of the climber 60 at the end of a locked 347 belay line 304 will convert the path 320c into the arc 320e and back 320f. The swinging 350 may be ended if a few (2-5) pulses of retracting 337 the trolley takeup line 296 during path 320f.

Opening 334 the safety gate 73 may reset 351 the gate.

Buffering 352 may reduce pendulum swinging of the paths 320e, 320f. Comparatively long or short times are considered in terms of throughput cycles of thrill rides rather than arbitrarily in the “eye of the beholder.” Short may be anything less than 20 seconds ( e.g ., 5, 10, 15) and long may be over that, to half a minute or even a minute.

The swinging 350 may actually be affirmatively dampened 352 or buffered 352 by moving the trolley 110 toward the wall 12 during the path 320f, moving the pivot point 100 and return force needed to transfer momentum to the climber 60 swinging along the path 320f. This also takes up the belay lines 304. Thus, a controller 140, such as either one or both of the controllers l40a, l40b may operate to control the trolley 110 to move in an opposite direction from the harness 28 containing a climber 60.

This has the effect of robbing the potential energy needed for momentum to reciprocate its direction. That is, if a pivot point 100 created or defined by the trolley 110 is moved, then potential energy may be reduced. Typically, this will be done by moving the trolley 110 toward the wall 12, while advancing or paying out the lines 304 to keep a climber 60 at the same or a lower altitude then otherwise reached by swinging 350.

Eventually, even when the swinging 350 has diminished or decayed sufficiently without intervention, the belay take up 290 may be controlled by the controller l40a to register 353 the user 60 at a preselected height. The trolley 110 may separately or simultaneously move toward the wall 12. Eventually a user 60 is transported 354 back to a position 24 close to the wall 12, to be lowered 355 to the ground to properly ground tie or clip 356 to the ground tether.

The transport step 354 should occur at a level to assure that a climber 60 will clear any persons or other obstructions on the ground surface 32. Thus, the accidental presence of people in dangerous locations may be reduced to a non-issue. Accordingly, transport 354 will typically involve carrying a climber 60 along the path 320g toward the wall 12. Maintaining a level height is not required, as it will necessitate retraction of the trolley 110 retrieval line 296, with simultaneous payout of the belay lines 294, 304.

Once the trolley 110 comes to a stop near the wall 12 at the launch deck 24, the belay takeup 290 may pay out the belay line 294 to lower 355 the climber 60 to the surface 32 where the ground tie may be clipped 356 to the sling 314 and any connectors (carabiners) thereon, before the harness 28 is unclipped 357 from that sling 314.

The climber 60 will typically exit 358 the area 24 and remove the harness 28 someplace remote. In this way, favoring better throughput, a second climber 60 may now enter 359 and approach 331 a launch deck 24, being fully harnessed previously, and clip in 332 to the sling 314 beginning the process 330 again. Referring to Figure 18, a system 10 in accordance with the invention may be illustrated in a schematic block diagram. For example, a climbing space 361 may be adjacent to and may overlap a swing space 362, above an approach space 360 over an underlying support 363. A preparation space 364 may be remote or part of the approach space 360 closer to the wall 12 and other climbing structures 365 such as a frame 14 of any variety supporting or supported by the overhead structure 366.

Installed inside a building or the like each may be supported by building structures 303 instead, supporting therebelow both a trolley support 367 ( e.g ., track 112) of some type, and various supports 368 for the belay system 290 and belay lines 304.

Typically, the belay supports 368 are operably connected to the belay drive 369 including the belay take up system 290, any associated bracketing, pulleys, and the like. A controller 140 may control the belay drive 369 and the trolley drive 371, each drawing lines 294, 296, respectively, passing over belay supports 368 and the trolley supports 367.

One value of the diagram is to understand that each of the spaces 360, 361, 362, 364 may be engineered to accommodate the actual trajectory or path 320 of a climber 60 both while climbing and while swinging. Accordingly, the relative proportions and shapes of the spaces 360, 361, 362, 364 may be engineered to preclude interference between people accidentally in an approach space 360 during swinging 350 in the swing space 362.

The belay drive 290 and trolley drive 292, controlled by the controller 140, position the climber 60 at a specific position with only certain degrees of freedom of motion for the protection of the climbers 60. Accordingly, various braking systems may include friction, eddy current braking, spring systems, dampers, hydraulic dampers, pneumatic dampers, fluid drag, buffering and so forth. Similarly, the overhead structure 366 may be part of a building, freestanding, or supported by the climbing structure 365.

Control modes available may include computerized, programmatic control of appropriate components, such as the takeup systems 290, 292 controlling the belay lines 304 and the trolley 110 on its retrieval line 296. Position, speed in any direction, and acceleration at some rate toward some target speed may all be programmatically controlled to limit forces and accelerations to suitable levels.

In that regard, development and testing of various embodiments of systems 10 indicate, if not militate, that the takeup devices 290, 292 be controlled, preferably in both directions. For example, if hydraulic cylinders 3l4a, 3l4b are used, pressure should be maintained on both sides of the double-acting pistons therein. Positions should be maintained by all valves controlling, sensing, and input and exit of hydraulic fluid (typically oil).

Oil on both sides of the piston head should be under pressure sufficient to maintain a background pressure. Controls may then change relative pressures to move the pistons. This may be done by providing an accumulator tank ( e.g . back-pressurizing tank or bladder tank) to provide an instant supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid. An accumulator with a valve to bleed off excess oil in it has been found effective.

By sling 314 is meant any suitable and safe connection approved for connecting the harness 28 to the spreader 300. This is typically a webbing, known as a sling 314. Double lines 304 resist spinning by a climber 60 when swinging 350. The lines 304 would complicate unnecessarily connection if directly connected to a harness 28. Meanwhile forces are significant, requiring metal or stiff and strong composite materials for the spreaders 300, 300b. If the spreader is steel or other hard material lacking padding, a sling 314 is effective to space the spreader 314 above and away from a face or head of a climber.

In some embodiments, a climber may be clipped in 332 at the back of a harness. However, such harnesses not consistent with Applicant’s invention are typically used (including virtually all full-body harnesses 28 known to and researched by Applicant at present) only as life safety devices. As such, they are a one-use product. Any fall deploys destructible and replaceable elements that must then be replaced and the harness re-built before further use. Although“Aussie-style rappelling” relies on a climbing rope secured to the back of a waist belt, no falling is contemplated in such a“top-roped” scenario. Catching a falling climber 60 by the back of the waist belt of a seat- type harness is life-threateningly dangerous, and absolutely inappropriate.

Referring to Figure 20, each of the sensors l60a is a distance sensor l60a and a controller l60a responsible to verify the position of the moveable (lower) blocks 306b, 306d. Thus, if displacement of the block 306b, 306d is incorrect, inadequate, or the like, information from the distance sensors l60a will connect through a communication line 295 to the controller 140, which may ultimately report to a remote computer 382 over a connection, illustrated by the radio signal, such as the internet or another network.

The force sensors l60b operate on lines 294, 296 or may detect forces on the pulleys 298a, 298c. Thus, tension or slack may be detected and measured for feedback control of valves l60c, which are actually combined sensors l60c and flow control valves l60c or flow in and out of the hydraulic cylinders 312a, 312b. Thus, the controller 140 through communication lines 295 may receive inputs from and send signals to each of the sensors 160 (l60a, l60b, l60c). All may be reported to or controlled by the controller 140 or through it by the remote computer 382.

The pump 372 provides pressurized oil into the lines 380 downstream, including to the pressure tank 376. The pressure tank 376 may provide a biased pressure to the belay cylinder 3 l2a. Either cylinder 3 l2a, 3 l2b may be pressurized by the pump 372 directly through connecting lines

380 which also represent schematically return lines 380 into the sump 374 from which the pump 372 draws.

The pressure sensors l60d connected to the various hydraulic lines 380 feedback information to the controller 140 through lines 295 (data communication links 295) to assist in control of the pump 372, pressure tank 376, hydraulic cylinders 3l2a, 3l2b, and so forth by the controller 140.

Thus, all active elements and moving parts may be monitored by sensors 160, which may include controls, reporting back to the controller 140 and remote computer 382 at all times.

Therefore, no active component can escape observation, control, and a halt command if operation is not within the predetermined value of its operational parameters ( e.g ., force, tension, pressure, displacement, position, speed, acceleration, and so forth). Thus, in general, the lines 295 represent a communication connection of wire or wireless type to and from the controller 140 recording all sensors 160. Likewise, each hydraulic cylinder 3l2a, 3l2b, can receive from the pump 372 pressurized oil and return released (unpressurized) oil through appropriate hydraulic lines 380 into the sump 374 as directed.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is: